Health Care
Health care services in Romania may not be up to the Western Standards but that doesn't mean you can dismiss them altogether. There are 34 hospitals in Bucharest and over 120 cliniques and private practices. Before coming to Bucharest, you must check with your insurance company if your policy is available overseas.In case of a medical emergency, one should dial 961 for an ambulance or 962 for the nearest Emergency Hospital. The 112 number is also available for general emergencies.
Once the ambulance arrives, it takes the patient to the nearest Emergency Hospital. There are five of them located throughout Bucharest.
The largest and most frequently used is Sf. Pantelimon Clinical Emergency Hospital in District 2. Sf. Pantelimon accepts emergency calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They have specialized sections, such as cardiology, eyes-years-and-throat, gynecology and neurosurgery. Recently the hospital has implemented a new program for patients. For 5 euro you can get a hospital reserve for yoursellf with a TV, fridge and bathroom, at hotel-like standards.
In District 1, there is the Emergency Hospital, situated on Calea Floreasca (tel: 30.01.06).
In District 5, there is the Universitary Emergency Hospital (Splaiul Independentei, nr 195, tel 224.81.73). One day of hospitalization costs between 3 and 20 euro.
The Sf. Ioan Hospital covers District 4 and is open throughout the year (tel 334.40.75). Also in Berceni neighborhood, in the southern part of the city, there is the Dr. Bagdasar Emergency Hospital, located on Sos. Berceni at nr. 12 (tel: 3343025).
One of the oldest hospitals in Bucharest (and in the country), located in the center of the city, is Coltea Hospital founded in 1704. Another major and well-equipped hospital in Bucharest is the Victor Babes Hospital for Tropical and Infectious Diseases (Sos. Mihai Bravu 281, tel 9609). Dr. Loghin Hospital (Calea Serban-voda, 336.92.02) is specialized in dermatology, and Carol Davila Hospital is specialized in nefrology (Calea Grivitei nr 4, 2129184) also being the biggest hemodialisys center in Eastern Europe.
The biggest children's hospitals in Bucharest are Grigore Alexandrescu (Blvd. Iancu Hunedoara, nr 32, tel 312..79.38), Dr. Victor Gomoiu (Basarbia Blvd, tel 323.22.20) and Cotroceni Children's Hospital (Splaiul Independentei nr 200, tel 212.61.58).
In case a nasty dental grief (not to mention pain), there is one hospital that handles the most difficult dental emergencies. That is the University Hospital of Dentistry on Calea Plevnei (314.25.08). There are plenty of private dental practices in Bucharest, some of them are modern and professional, like Ab Dental Care or Leodent, while others are just "neighborhood cabinets" and don't inspire much confidence.
Besides the medical units that offer treatment, there are also research centers where you can get your blood work and other related analyses done, like Romar or Eco-design.
No matter where you are in Bucharest, you are never too far away from a pharmacy. The biggest pharmaceutical chains that operate in Romania are Sensiblu, Farmaline, Catena and Helpnet. In case you are on specific medication, you should check with the local representatives if your medicine is available in Bucharest. Most of those chains located in the downtown area are open round a clock.
