Greece Women Health Information
- Reported, January 23, 2012
 Greece
and the Greek Islands do not present any health problems, any strange or
particular disease and consequently, no vaccines are required to travel in
Greece.
However, there are some common vaccinations to all international health
certificates to do before leaving your country such as tetanus & diphtheria,
polio and hepatitis A & B.
Codeine, a composing of headache medicine, is banned in Greece. It is better to
have a medication medical certificate for every medication you carry with you
into the country. Strict regulations are applied on the importation of medicines
into Greece.
If you need a special medical treatment, it is better to take it along because
it might be impossible to find it in Greece.
E111 free treatment for Europeans:
The citizens of the European Union have right to the E111 document which offers
the access to free treatment in a public hospital. Greek public hospitals are
well equipped, at least in the major cities, but often overcrowded. The
conditions and services of the private hospitals are much better but quite
expensive. A good health-insurance policy is essential.
Food & Water
The Greek food products are famous all around the world for their excellent
quality. Visitors should always be careful of the water in remote areas and in
most of the islands (especially in the Cyclades). Tap water in Athens and the
major cities of Greece is drinkable. Drinking infected water can give you the ‘tourista’:
stomach upsets (most common travel health problem) or diarrhoea, but nothing
serious.
Heat
The major health problem in Greece is originated from the heat, especially
during the period between June and September.
To avoid dehydration, it always better to force yourselves to drink water even
if you don’t feel thirsty and to always carry a bottle of water. Remember to
salt your food since the heat makes you sweat and leads to loss of salt and body
minerals. Many serious problems are connected to the heat: sunburns, prickly
heat which is an itchy rash caused by excessive transpiration, heat exhaustion,
fungal infections or heat stroke. To avoid that sort of problems, bath often,
dry well your skin, avoid extreme physical activities, wear light clothing and
always a hat, and avoid the excessive consummation of alcohol. Avoid being in
direct contact with the sun between 1pm and 4pm and always wear good-quality
eyewear.
Many Greeks have been calling for reform to their country’s healthcare system.
Despite this, it was ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the best
in the world; with healthcare costs among the lowest of the European Union
member countries.
The government’s GDP allocation to healthcare is also quite low. The
availability of public hospitals is limited to certain areas, which tend to
cluster in big cities. These may be some of the reasons why Greeks have a
perception of low quality healthcare, despite the fact that hospitals in the
metropolitan areas are of excellent standards.
Currently, there are moves from the government to upgrade the healthcare system,
having obtained funding assistance from the European Union. Such improvements
include the building of new facilities, developing mobile medical units,
improving accident and emergency facilities and the installation of high-tech
medical equipment.
The public health system in Greece provides free, or low cost, healthcare
services to residents (and their families) contributing to the social security
system. Other benefits include free laboratory services, maternity care,
medical-related appliances or devices and transportation. Other European Union
nationals can also avail of free healthcare benefits provided they have their
E111 forms.
Specialists can be consulted directly, but public hospital residents usually
have long waiting lists. In urgent situations (but not in emergency cases) the
patient may opt to see a private specialist and later reimburse (up to a maximum
of 85% of the fee) the Idrima Kinonikon Asfalisseon (IKA). IKA is a government
body which operates Greece’s National Healthcare System. Because of the limited
facilities of some hospitals, patients can be referred to other hospitals. In
the case of non-urgent operations, waiting times can be lengthy.
Emergency care is provided free of charge in public hospitals to anyone,
regardless of nationality. There are also smaller outpatient clinics in rural
areas which are attached to bigger public hospitals. These facilities provide
faster emergency treatment than the bigger public hospitals.
Dental and eye treatments are also free but non-essential medicines and
health-related accessories such as dentures, dental crowns, and spectacles are
charged at a substantial rate.
Medications are of good quality and the pharmacists are highly trained.
Medicines are also highly subsidized with only 25% of the cost of the
prescription being charged.
A policy universal to all EU member countries is the E106 form, or the European
Health Card. The E106 can be accessed by the expatriate from his/her own country
if he/she has paid two full years of social security contribution. The E106 card
entitles the bearer to public health cover for a limited period of time.
Retirees from EU countries who are receiving their pension from their home
country, and who intend to settle in Greece, are also entitled to state health
benefits.
-
WF Team
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