Healthcare in Prague

Coping with jet lag:

If arriving from within Europe, you shouldn’t have any jet lag problems, since the time difference will be one or two hours at most. If you’re travelling over oceans and your trip involves long layovers and too many bad airplane movies, then you might very well find yourself overwhelmed when you arrive in Prague. Even though Prague is a rather calm city for a capital, simply being in a new and strange place, surrounded by foreign sounds and signs, can add mental and emotional stress to your physical exhaustion. It’s advisable to take a taxi straight to your hotel or guesthouse, or wherever you’ve arranged your initial accommodation, and get some rest. But be aware that common symptoms of jet lag include digestive problems, headaches, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, temporary insomnia and irritability. It can take a while to get adjusted to the time zone, depending on the person and also what season you arrive in – gray and cold winter weather may make it easier to fall asleep at any time. You should try to resist sleeping too early in the day, and set your alarm to wake you up at a normal time in the morning, regardless of when you went to sleep, in order to get into a normal pattern.

Drinking Water:

In Prague, tap water is completely safe (you can use it from the first day you arrive) and rather tasty. In fact, the excellent water is one of the factors contributing to the Czech Republic’s excellent beer. However, many Czechs and expats alike still prefer to use a Brita filter system to filter out any excess amounts of added chemicals, and simply because there may be a smell from the chlorination of the water. Some people purchase bottled spring water for drinking, but this isn’t necessary. Restaurants and cafes will only serve bottled water, but you can try and ask for tap water if you prefer.

Food:

For the most part, there shouldn’t be a problem in purchasing the same groceries, more or less, that you normally find at home, and with the same quality of freshness and safety – in fact, the meat and produce will be likely fresher than what you’re used to. And the food served in cafes and restaurants is perfectly sanitary and fresh. However, if you’re craving some Chinese food when you first arrive (unfortunately they don’t deliver), it’s not advisable to hit up one of the cheap Chinese restaurants that can be found every few blocks. Also, until your body has totally adjusted to the new routine, try to go easy on the heavy, greasy sausages and potato pancakes (bramboracky ) sold around Wenceslas Square and other touristy areas. Of course, you’ll likely want to dive right into the best beer in the world. Just be aware that if you ask for one beer (“Jedno pivo, prosim”), the default size is a half-litre. If you want to keep an eye on your beer belly, then make sure to specify that you want a small beer, or a “maly” instead, which is 0.33 of a litre.

Health Care:

In case of an emergency, you can call an ambulance by dialling 155. If it’s not critical, you can take a taxi to the nearest hospital or one that you’ve selected ahead of time.

There are plenty of pharmacies around the city, though only a limited number are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The pharmacy sign reads “Lekarna” (Czech for pharmacy) and should feature a bold green cross.

24/7 Pharmacy (Lekarna ) Listings:

Prague 1: Lekarna Palackeho, Palackeho 5, (224 946 982)

Prague 2: Lekarna U Svate Ludmily, Belgicka 37 (Namesti Miru) (222 519 731)

Prague 4: Thomeyerova Hospital Lekarna, Videnska 800 (261 084 019)

Prague 5: Lekarna U Andela, Stefanikova 6 (only until 10pm) (257 320 918)

Prague 5: Motol Hospital Lekarna, V Uvalu 84 (224 435 736)

Prague 6: Lekarna Berytos, Vitezne namesti 13 (224 325 520)

Prague 7: Lekarna Letna, Frantiska Krizika 22 (233 375 599)

Prague 8: Bulovka Hospital Lekarna, Bulovka 282 (283 840 501)

Prague 10: Lekarna v Malesicich, Plananska 1/753 (281 019 258)

Preparations:

There are no vaccinations or immunisations necessary to enter the Czech Republic, but it’s never a bad idea to get your children immunised anyway. It can be helpful to make a file for each member of the family that contains all medical records and documents, like insurance certificates and cards if you already have them, birth certificates, medical and vision prescriptions, X-rays, etc. If you wear contact lenses, try and pack some contact lens solution from home, as it will cost more in Prague. Take extra pairs of contact lenses and an extra pair of glasses if possible, although glasses can be inexpensive in Prague. Interestingly enough, if you have been considering Lasik surgery, it might actually be cheaper in Prague than back home. Also pack your favourite medicines and herbal supplements that you rely on and prefer, since you’ll mostly find Czech brands of medicine in Prague.

Because the winters in Prague can be long and grey, with very few hours of sunlight for 4 to 5 months, some people may react negatively and experience some kind of minor depression. Many just call this the winter blues, but SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is something to consider and be prepared for once the winter season crawls in. It’s recommended that you keep your home well lit, even during the day, when the outside light is simply flat and grey. Prague also has several English-speaking psychiatrists and therapists who can help you or a family member deal with this and any other culture-shock-related issues, including the professionals at www.Creativityinprague.com or www.Relocationtherapy.com .

Tick season runs from April through October in the Czech Republic, and tick bites can lead to Lyme disease. If you’re camping or hiking in areas with tall grasses, be sure to wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into your socks.

Insurance:

EU citizens

Public health care in the Czech Republic is free for all EU citizens who hold a valid Provisional certificate or the European health insurance card (EHIC). These documents must be obtained from your home country before travelling and presented, along with your passport or national ID, to the Czech doctor or hospital upon treatment to avoid payment. If you enter into treatment at a private clinic or hospital, however, the services are not free. EU citizens are entitled to apply for a Czech health insurance card if they are employed by a registered Czech company or have permanent residency in the Czech Republic.

Non-EU citizens

As of January 1, 2011, non-EU citizens in the Czech Republic who are applying for or renewing long-term visas (for a stay of over 90 days) must have full coverage health insurance, known as komplexni zdravotni pojisteni . This full coverage, said to be comparable to that received by Czech citizens, varies by company but typically includes: outpatient care, hospital treatment, emergency dental care, repatriation of remains, check-up and injection for children under 15, treatment for diabetes, care during pregnancy and birth, institution and diagnostic care and even emergency treatment in other Schengen countries. Normal dental care is relatively cheap in Prague, so don’t worry if it’s not covered by your health insurance provider.

There are five Foreign Police-approved health insurance companies where this type of complex insurance for foreigners can be obtained: VZP, Maxima, Slavia, UNIQA and Victoria Volksbanken. The average minimum cost for one year’s coverage is CZK14,000, but can be as high as CZK20,000 for premium packages including dental coverage. However, you may not be able to get hold of an English-speaking consultant at all of these firms, in which case you might also consider trying an English-speaking insurance broker that will help you obtain the health insurance coverage you need for the same price offered by the health insurance firms. Coverage may be taken out per month or per year, depending on the firm.