Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Health
Health care across the region is consistently of a high standard in all major cities. In smal-
ler and especially rural communities health care may be confined to a visiting doctor at the
local clinic. Health-care providers tend to be expats themselves, with many nurses from the
Philipines and doctors from India.
Emergency treatment is often given free but you shouldn't rely on this. Ambulance ser-
vices are available in cities but often a taxi is the best way to get to hospital in a hurry.
Operations can be very expensive and many locals opt to have surgery in India or Thailand
as they believe they will receive better care in those countries.
It's imperative to have health insurance for all the family. Carefully check the small print
of any company-issued insurance as it may well exclude dental and eye care, prenatal, de-
livery and maternity care, as well as exempting pre-existing conditions.
Women's personal requirements (such as tampons and sanitary pads) can be found in the
larger supermarkets of the bigger cities (which cater for expats). Contraception is readily
available but abortion other than on health grounds is not readily supported.