Hospitals in Andalucía

Like any other country in Europe, the hospitals in Andalucia too have excellent health care facilities to offer. In fact right across Spain the quality of medical services is on par with that given in any other country. The doctors are extremely well trained and highly qualified in all these hospitals in Andalucia.

The major hospitals in Andalucia come equipped with top of the line equipment - modern hi tech machines and the latest technologies and apparatus. The public and private healthcare industry work in tandem and support each other in Andalucia. The public health system is quite well spread across the region and provides low cost, sometimes even free, clinics and consultations. The public health system is only for those who are contributors towards the Andalucia society, or have in the past and are now retired. Their families also qualify for public health support.

Those that don’t come under the umbrella of the public health system have to be privately insured to take care of all their medical costs. It is interesting to note that those who don’t qualify for public health care need to be privately insured in order to get a residence card. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIA) covers all European citizens for most medical help but some medical costs that are not covered here have to be taken care of by private insurance. Although the hospitals in Andalucia are top notch, what is sadly lacking is the post hospital and nursing care facilities available throughout the region. Northern parts of Europe provide much better out patient services. Emergency Services are required by law to treat anyone in any circumstances.

For those living and working in Andalucia, a subscription to the Seguridad Social (Social Security) ensures full access to the state health system. Once you have Social Security it is advisable to apply for a Tarjeta Sanitaria (Health Card) and get registeedr with a GP at the local Health Centre. Carry your Health Card every time you make an appointment with a doctor or at a hospital. The Andalucian Health Service is referred to as S.A.S. (Servicio Andaluz de Salud).

Although the Spanish are considered to be among the healthiest people, the amount spent on preventive medicines is dismally low in this country. In spite of this, the average life expectancy is rather high compared to places like America where all aspects of medical care are the best in the world. In Spain, the average life expectancy of a woman is 80 years and of the male is 74! This explains why their health care costs per head are so low! In fact the GDP of this country is just 7%.

Travellers to Andalucia must be insured in order to avail medical treatment in any hospital of Andalucia. The bigger hospitals also offer translators to ease the language barrier that travellers may face. The most common problems travellers face are sunburn and stomach problems, and in May, they may suffer asthma or hay fever due to pollination.

We all know the importance of good quality and timely medical care. Spain may be the country with the lowest heart disease rates thanks primarily to their diet, which is rich in olive oil and garlic, but there is no denying that there are areas in the hospitals in Andalucia and all of Spain that need special focus and governmental attention. Areas like preventive medicine, research and post hospitalization care. HIV, which has not spared Spain too, is a major concern.

More specialized hospitals are planned in Andalucia. Hospitals with 24 hour Emergency Services, doctors qualified to conduct the most complicated operations and also hopefully, better out patient facilities will be a reality. Combined with the health clinics and spa’s offering more niche treatments, Spain, and Andalucia in particular can then boast of a holistic, well rounded medical system that will be on par, if not better than that of any country in the world.