Health Care

When visiting the local family doctor, a patient goes in, sits down and waits to be called. If a patient first sees a doctor in a hospital or a large clinic, the follow-up may take place in the doctor's general office, which generally has hours from 7:00 a.m. until around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. In most doctors' offices, there is no receptionist; one mustn't open any doors or there could be the danger of finding oneself in an examining room with the doctor and another patient! Everyone will be called from the waiting room in order. Some patients have insurance cards, but one should be prepared to pay cash because of the problems often associated with insurance. Medical fees tend to be reasonable.

Patients are generally referred to other medical facilities if they need casts, shots or x-rays. Prescriptions are filled at the pharmacies, located in either in large hospitals or as independent businesses. The pharmacist will not prescribe drugs, but can dispense birth control, located behind the glass divide in the pharmacy. On the customer side of the counter is toothpaste, face cream, and other toiletries. There is a significant difference in price between medications and other drugstore items that are local, and those that have been imported.