Sarajevo - 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 fair, with pockets of excellence and pockets of poor care. - Mar 2024
Medical care is poor in the best of times. During COVID, it was awful. You will most likely get medevac'd for anything (pregnancy ultrasound, broken bone, etc). The Embassy health unit is wonderful and can take care of most basic needs and preventive care. - Apr 2021
Air quality is pretty bad with all of the burning in winter. Medical care is pretty rudimentary and most serious conditions are medically evacuated. Hate to say it, but I wouldn't even have a root canal here. - Dec 2017
Air pollution. Medical care is poor here. You will need to be medically evacuated if something happens. Dental care is terrible. - Sep 2017
Medical facilities are not great, I wouldn't have any major treatment done here. - Feb 2017
The air quality. Local healthcare is a joke. You need to pay some bribes and you can get a good doctor. There are some good private clinics. I have an excellent OB/GYN here, she's in private practice. The U.S. Embassy has a medical unit with a resident Regional Medical Officer and pediatrician. - May 2016
Smog is a problem in winter months. Serious asthma sufferers should not consider it. There is an RMO and a part-time pediatrician at post, and some English speaking specialists in town. Still not ideal for major issues. Smoking is allowed in the cafe in the hospital, for example. In fact, smoking indoors is allowed just about everywhere. - Aug 2014
The quality of medical care is low. The hospital can basically handle trauma. The need to bribe your way into a job turns many qualified health care professionals away from the main hospitals. - Nov 2012
The local standard of medical care is atrocious. Anything serious got medevac'd. The MED unit at the embassy is very good. Local dentists are good, and cheap by US standards. - Aug 2011
Air quality is horrible in the winter. Health care is far beneath U.S. standards. - May 2011
If you have respiratory issues, get all the facts before you come here. - May 2010
Just the pollution for people with lung or breathing problems. The health office at the embassy is very good. The few local doctors we dealt with were good, including home visits. The hospitals are a nightmare, and people are medevac'd for anything serious to Vienna or elsewhere. - Jun 2009
For minor injuries and not so serious conditions is OK. Otherwise, you should go to Austria or Germany. - Mar 2009
Most go to Vienna or home for anything medical. Dentists are good. Giving birth is a drama, so is hospitalisation in general. Better not get ill. Smog/pollution can be a big issue. Smoking is a national hobby and allowed everywhere (even in the ER). If you have asthma you will have a hard time almost everywhere. - Dec 2008
