MBS Blog

As an expatriate American living in a developing country, one of the issues that is always a concern is what to do if I have a medical emergency or need to require a medical or dental procedure. Well, there are many viable options here in Ukraine.

While Ukraine as a whole is still behind many countries in terms of overall health care, private health care is modern and efficient. It is also far less expensive than comparative care in the United States, the U.K., Western Europe…and in some cases, Eastern Europe as well. In fact, many procedures can be 80-90% less in Ukraine, but also less than in well known “medical tourism” destinations such as India and Thailand. Unless you live in Asia, Ukraine is closer too.

An example is the surgery I had earlier this week to repair a deviated septum. Similar surgery in the USA can range up to and exceed $8,000 USD and the cost is often not covered by some medical insurance plans.

My operation was done here at VIRTUS (see below for info) here in Odessa. Total cost: $825 USD including hospital stay, follow up doctors visits, and prescription medicine.

As for emergencies and general medicine, Ukraine now has several private hospitals that cater to Ukrainian citizens as well expatriates and their families. One of the more well known is INTO SANA here in Odessa.

Having visited some of these facilities, as well as having gathered information for a specialized market survey, the quality and service is almost at the level of many facilities in Western Europe, though the costs are considerably less.

Dentistry in Ukraine is the real bargain. Almost everyone I know in Ukraine brags about their dentist, the quality and the low cost. I take that as a good sign, especially since I am obsessed with good teeth. Almost every office I have visited has been ultra-modern, sporting the latest in technology. Often the dentists are educated abroad or have been certified by foreign institutes.

My own dentist (see below) has a huge foreign clientele from Germany. Many Europeans come to Ukraine not only for implants and other cosmetic procedures, but for basic dentistry. Having silver amalgam fillings replaced, root canals and teeth whitening are very popular.

One of my business partners brings his teenage sons to Odessa just to get their dentistry done. Even with the travel expenses, he saves a small fortune having the work done here.

Ukraine could in fact, become a center of medical tourism. One of the drawbacks has been the lack of English speaking medical professionals, but that is changing. Moreover, it is very easy to arrange for someone to assist with translation and to help with hospital and accommodation arrangements.

Dentist

GRADIA

Prospekt Shevchenko 8A, Odessa

+38048 711 6998

Cosmetic Surgery

VIRTUS- they have modern clinics in both Kyiv and Odessa (www.virtus.ua)

Emergency and General Medicine

INTO SANA (www.into-sana.com)