South Korea Scores Highly for Healthcare in New Survey
The InterNations report for 2024 has just been published, with the following countries featuring in the top ten for healthcare:
- South Korea
- Qatar
- Spain
- Japan
- Luxembourg
- Cyprus
- Saudi Arabia
- Belgium
- Austria
- France
Bottom of the list, however, comes Ireland, which ranked last (53rd) for both the quality and availability of medical care. Bureaucratic referrals and lengthy waiting times contributed to expats’ dissatisfaction with healthcare in the country. The USA also ranked low (46th) when it came to healthcare – not because of quality, but as a result of its cost. Expats in Chile (45th) also complained about accessibility of healthcare.
West Nile Warnings for Brits in Spain
The health authorities in Andalucia and other parts of Spain have issued warnings about West Nile virus. Cases of the mosquito-borne disease have seen a significant rise in August, in areas which are popular with British tourists. Dos Hermanas, near Sevilla, has reported six cases, and there have been cases in Sevilla itself. But it’s not just Spain which has been affected: health authorities report outbreaks in other European nations as well, namely Austria, Croatia, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Romania, France and Greece.
People over 50 are among the most vulnerable, particularly those who suffer from conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The illness can cause vomiting, fever, aches and a rash, with worse case scenarios involving seizures and muscle paralysis. Medical experts suggest using mosquito repellent and nets, particularly around peak times such as dawn and dusk.
Universal Healthcare in South Africa is a ‘‘Long Term’ Project
It will take around 50 years for universal healthcare to be a feature in South Africa, according to Sanlam, the country’s biggest life insurer. The company is currently pushing for innovation, but regards the development of healthcare in South Africa to be a long term project.
“Surge” in Medical Tourism in India
Both medical and dental tourism have been booming across the globe in recent years. Expat Focus recently spoke to a Brazilian expat in the UK who says that, due to high costs of British dental treatment and issues with accessibility, it will be cheaper for her to fly back to Brazil to undertake any significant dental treatment than to obtain it in England. She told us that in her opinion, Brazilian dentistry was among the best in the world. And in early September, the Hindustan Times ran an article on the boom in medical tourism in India.
Credit rating agency Crisil has recently issued a report which reveals that around 7.3 million people will visit India for medical reasons in 2024, a rise from an estimated 6.1 million in 2023. Indian medical experts say that the increase is a result of high costs in other countries, combined with high quality care in India.
Warning Over Care for Brits in Spain
Dr Kelly Hall, a social policy expert at the University of Birmingham, told the i news in September that elderly British expats in Spain could be facing ‘a ticking time bomb’ in relation to care and may have to return home to access it. Many Brits rely on organisations such as Age Concern or the British Legion, but Dr Hall warns that these are run by older members of the community who may soon be facing their own care needs.
“Unless there is a new generation (of carers) coming through it is true to say that the voluntary sector will be really struggling. I suspect more people will return to the UK,” she told the press.
A volunteer with Age Concern on the Costa del Sol backed up this warning, saying that many elderly Brits speak little Spanish and therefore do not feel confident about accessing local care services. Moreover, English-speaking care organisations are costly, often around €5K per month, and many expats can’t afford private health insurance, although this is now a condition of their taking up residency post-Brexit. And whilst elderly Spanish people rely on their relatives to look after them, Brits often move without the support of family members.
Dr Hall warns that unless younger volunteers, either Spanish or British, step forward to fill the gaps in these ageing organisations, a significant shortfall is going to become apparent in the next decade or so.
Expat Brits in Greece Report ‘Better’ Access to GPs
Also in the British newspapers this month are comments from British expats in Greece, who told the press that it’s much easier to get access to a GP in Greece than in the UK. One expat, on Kefalonia, says that he does not even need to make an appointment, but just goes to the surgery on spec, and he sees the same doctor every time. Although he pays out of pocket for his healthcare, it’s still reasonably priced – a private prostate exam cost him around £80, whereas an MRI in the UK could start at £200. His results came back within a week.
UK Foreign Office Gives Eight-Week Warning
The UK’s FO has recently issued a warning to Brits planning to travel to a number of South American countries, regarding Oropouche virus, a disease spread by midges and mosquitos. There were, for example, 8,078 confirmed cases of Oropouche fever in Bolivia in August 2024. The illness can cause headaches, a fever and chills.
Fleet Street Dr Richard Dawood told the Independent newspaper that:
“You are most at risk when you are travelling to an area with an active outbreak. At the moment that’s much of South America. In terms of what travellers can do to prevent it, general insect precautions apply – permethrin repellent and light long clothing will protect the covered up areas as midges cannot bite through them.”
The Foreign Office says:
“Before you travel check that your destination can provide the healthcare you may need and you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation. This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.”