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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 dont 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 countrys 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 governments 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 Greeces 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.
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