|
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| Poland
Health |
 |
|
| |
Special
Precautions |
Certificate
Required |
| Yellow
Fever |
No |
No |
| Cholera |
No |
No |
| Typhoid
and Polio |
No |
N/A |
| Malaria |
No |
N/A |
|
|
Food and
Drink
Mains water is generally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe
may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and
is recommended for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised
and dairy products are safe for consuming. Local meat, seafood,
poultry, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other risks
Hepatitis
A and B and diphtheria occur.
Freshwater fish from the Baltic Sea area might contain fish tapeworm,
causing diphyllobothriasis.
Tick-borne
encephalitis occur in forested areas. Vaccination is recommended.
Trekkers and campers should wear long trousers when walking near
long grass in order to avoid tick bites.
Rabies
is present and for those at high risk, vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice immediately.
For detailed information, consult the Health appendix.
Health Care
European Economic Area (EEA)
and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly ill or have an accident
during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost
necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production
of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Each country has a different rule about state medical provision.
In some, the treatment is free. In many countries you will have
to pay a part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial
refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment
only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation
costs, neither does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature,
so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Please note that the
EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after
31 December 2005. Some restrictions do apply, depending on your
nationality.
Healthcare in Poland is provided by units that have a contract with
National Health Fund (Centrala Narodowego Funduszu Zdrowia
or NFZ). In an emergency, go to the nearest basic healthcare
GP and make certain they are contracted to the NFZ. If they are
not contracted to the NFZ, you will be charged as a private patient
and will not be able to get a refund on it. Also check that the
dentist you go to is contracted to the NFZ, otherwise you will be
charged privately. Only basic emergency dental care is provided
free of any charges. Depending on the medication, you will have
to pay between 30% and 50% of the price of prescriptions, the full
amount, or a fixed price. These charges are not refundable. You
can go directly to a state hospital in an emergency and get a free
treatment. A GP may also refer you to a hospital and decide if you
need an ambulance. Medicines provided in the hospital are free of
charge.
Detailed information can be obtained from Central
NFZ (National Health Fund) and regional branches, Ul. Grójecka
186, 02-390 Warszawa (tel: (22) 572 6036 or 6112; fax: (22) 572
6330). |
| Useful travel links |
| CDC |
official site of the US Centers
for Disease Control |
| MASTA |
the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers |
| No
jet lag |
all about jet lag. What is it who gets it |
| SOS |
international SOS |
| WHO |
the official site of the World Health Organization |
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