Kiev - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is iffy. Dental care is OK, everything else I would go to the U.S. or some other medivac location. - May 2021
None really, although seasonal allergies can be tough. Local routine care is pretty good, as are elective procedures (lasik, cosmetic stuff, etc) and very inexpensive. A lot of people have dental work done, and Ukraine is a world leader in fertility treatment tourism. However, for non-routine stuff, including most child births, we go to London. - May 2017
Medical care is not fantastic, and people were medically evacuated to London for anything serious. That being said, I got some routine tests done at local clinics and had a fine experience. - Nov 2016
Quality of medical care is not supposed to be that great, so major issues get you medevaced to London, including for prenatal checks. But I did a few tests at local medical facilities (private ones) and found the facilities to be up-to-date and comfortable to visit. - Jul 2016
Well, some of us have class 2 clearance, and we're still able to be here. I had emergency eye surgery for a detached retina, and the only place they do that here is at the state hospital; no private facility. Not an experience you want, but everything turned out okay. That said, no soap or toilet paper in the bathrooms was a bit of a shock (you have to bring your own), no consulting rooms (talk about your case in the hallway), and antiquated equipment and facilities. The private eye clinic where I did my follow-up is fine, but you do need to watch out and be proactive (educate yourself, get a second opinion, whatever), for they love to recommend procedures or treatments whose efficacy is not always evidence based. For example, they wanted my daughter to start patching her eye again for amblyopia (lazy eye), but her surgeon in Virginia recommended against this, because her eyes need to learn to work together, and she is not likely to get any significant improvement in vision in that eye from patching at this point. - Nov 2015
Medicine isn't to Western standards but the med unit at the Embassy is awesome. The dentistry is good though, especially for routine care. - Jun 2015
The local healthcare system is horrible. There are a few places that everyone seems to go that have a good reputation. Local dental care at a good clinic is very reasonably priced and high quality. - Apr 2014
No concerns. Public health care is terrible, but if you can afford the private hospitals they are very good. - Apr 2013
Plenty of health concerns. There are many medevacs, as the local healthcare is not to US standards. - Apr 2013
Medical system isn't generally trusted for anything critical. Many prescription meds can be bought over-the-counter at local pharmacies. - Feb 2013
Health Unit at the Embassy is fine, there's one clinic in the city (Boris?) that seems to have a good reputation. But in general, avoid Ukrainian medical care. Medevac is your friend. Although I did hear of people being happy with local dentists. - Jul 2012
Health care is getting better as more and more private run clinics open. For major things it is best to go back to the states or where ever you feel comfortable. - Aug 2009
It is VERY BAD . . . our son had to have a minor surgery and the doctor left a scar . . . proceed carefully there. - Apr 2008
A real drawback, pretty primitive. embassy personnel are routinely medivaced. - Apr 2008
Vodka is the primary medicine for many. Most clinics and hospitals are sub-par. - Feb 2008
