Vilnius - 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 is available, but long, months long, waits for specialists. - Aug 2023
Mental health. In my opinion, this community has very low morale with no motivation to change it. Local health unit provides basic needs, but hospitals have everything you could want. No medevacs really required. - Dec 2022
COVID but that's a world problem. - Feb 2021
This is the one area that frustrated me most. Do not expect medical care here to meet Western standards or expectations in patient care. Their medical culture and system of practice here is different than the states. If you want to be reminded that you’re living in Eastern European country that was recently liberated from the Soviets a mere 30 years ago, then go seek out medical care here and you will quickly be reminded of this. That being said, we just relied heavily on the RMO to provide guidance and consultation. The Health Unit staff was always there to help the community with translations and would physically go to the hospitals to “hold our hand” through emergencies that required a higher level of medical care. On the other hand, I knew people with chronic health issues that lived here and frequently sought specialty medical care and they were satisfied. It’s just a matter of expectation and being adaptable and patient. There are high rates of infection here in hospitals and also surgeries are not recommended (per DoS MED and Tricare). - Sep 2020
There are some trees here that we do not have in the US which causes some allergy issues for Americans. Quality of local medical care can be good if you're willing to front the money before insurance pays some back. - Oct 2019
The European tick issue that is in other countries in the area too--the US embassy medical unit can vaccinate you if you are with the US mission. The embassy medical unit has local doctor who is very good and personable. The RMO and RMO/P visit. MED seems to prefer to evacuate in non-emergency surgical situations. I would say Lithuania is somewhere between its former Soviet roots on the way to EU standard, but sometimes MED doesn't feel that the EU standard is good enough. - Mar 2017
Medical and dental care is good. Medical evacuations are often required but for surgery or to see a specialist: you might have to go to London or the U.S. The embassy's Lithuanian doctor and nurse are very good. - Mar 2017
Routine medical care is fine. It is easy to get meds/necessities. But for serious issues, one must use medevac. - Aug 2015
There is wide disagreement on this. If anything remotely serious happens, you will be medivac'd..very surprising for a relatively modern european capital city. Local doctor visits are relatively cheap and easy to get. We have been happy. Only Baltic American Clinic takes Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Dental work is excellent but VERY inexpensive. - Jun 2013
Lithuanian hospitals all specialize in different ailments so it's important to know where to go in an emergency. Thankfully, we have an excellent Med Unit that helps to navigate the system, but people are routinely medevac'd to London. The private Baltic American Clinic is popular for routine needs. Lithuania has ongoing problems with both TB and Swine Flu. - Feb 2011
Medical care is adequate for everyday problems, but this is not the place to come down with something serious. The medical unit staff is good and responsive. - May 2009
The Baltic-American clinic is good, but do NOT go to a state-run hospital, even if you're dying. Better to get medevac'ed... Dental care is better than medical care. - Nov 2008
