Health and Medical Information

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Health and Medical Information

No matter which city in the world one travels to, it is always imperative to have a firsthand knowledge about the medical services provided by that place. More often than not, travelling to new destination can take a heavy toll on one’s health, due to being exposed to unfamiliar conditions and the body’s inability to cope with these changes. The same holds true for Amsterdam, where the medical services are of the highest quality. So, before you leave for Amsterdam, there are a few things that you should probably jot down.

Medical Care and Insurance

Amsterdam offers some excellent health care services, with high quality doctor consultations, 24 hour emergency services, fast specialist referrals, emergency prescriptions and travel vaccinations and advice. Along with that, Amsterdam’s waiting times for operations are not as long-drawn as compared to most other European countries, so that’s another plus. Basically, one need not worry much in terms of health care; Amsterdam is well-facilitated with medical alternatives for tourists. Compulsory Insurance is a pre-requisite in Amsterdam for receiving medical care, albeit with fixed rates according to the law. So make sure you have travel insurance and you won’t have any problems getting the medical care you need.

Pharmacies

There are a number of medical pharmacies available in Amsterdam, providing prescription drugs and medicines. These pharmacies usually run from 9:00 in the morning till 5:30 in the evening.

Hospitals

There are several public hospitals in Amsterdam that are open 24 hours a day. There are some large and well-facilitated hospitals near the city centre, where one can go for treatments. Some of these hospitals are OLVG and Sint Lucas Hospitals.

Private Doctors and Physicians

There are several independently working doctors who operate in the city of Amsterdam. Mostly they speak English, and also have high-quality clinics. They usually take patients without appointments between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. They seldom take patients during weekends, so be prepared for that.

Emergencys and Medical Service

In Amsterdam, there is an emergency number: 112. This number is common throughout the country and can be used to call the medical ambulance, fire department or the police. One only needs to phone this number, state his/her city, which service is required and the complete address of residence. For tourists, there’s another emergency medical service number which caters exclusively to tourists. This number is: (020) 592 3355. The best way to get information about nearby medical practitioners is by calling the Central Medical Service. This will provide you with all the medical info that you require. This service is also available 24 hours a day. Phone: 0900 503 20 42