Medical Care of Citizens: Patients are still entitled to free primary medical care at "Policlinics" in the district where they live. Policlinics are similar to an "official" medical group for out-patient care. Unfortunately, public medical care has suffered greatly from poor pay, outdated training, poor equipment and supplies, long isolation from Western medicine overburdening of free medical facilities and now the exit of personnel from public sector medicine.

Getting Better: Medical care in the emerging market system, however, is changing rapidly as more and more physicians, dentists, medical professionals and even hospitals and policlinics open private "fee for treatment" clinics with much higher quality treatment, and using Western equipment and medical supplies. (Actually, it brings out into the open the fact that, while in theory, all citizens could receive free medical care, for many years the level of medical care could be "improved" by rank, favors, and gifts). Some Russians now buy MEDICAL INSURANCE to cover medical care expenses, especially if they travel abroad.

Medical Policlinics, Hospitals, etc.: Here we have selected some of the better and best centers for medical treatment in St. Pbg and consultation with our medical experts. For more information and a complete list of medical policlinics, hospitals, outpatient dispensaries, first aid stations & emergency children's care see St. Petersburg Yellow Pages (in English) and Abonent (in Russian).

Medical Treatment for Foreigners: Several private medical groups are staffed with Western doctors and top Russian specialists who provide medical care at standards approaching those of the West. The American Medical Center, listed below, has well staffed emergency facilities, family practice, dentistry clinic and lab are staffed with Western doctors. The Emergency Medical Consulting provide round-the-clock emergency medical care and medical evacuation. Cardiovascular Consultants St. Petersburg provide diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
There are dozens of policlinics (out-patient or ambulatory care or large HMO) and private medical groups in Saint Petersburg as well as a number of outstanding medical research institutes. Foreigners usually pay a small charge for services, most often much less expensive than similar treatment in the West.
Alternatively, there are dozens of Russian private medical groups in St. Petersburg as well as a number of outstanding medical research institutes, that provide highest level of services. The most experienced is Clinic Complex, which used to be the clinic for foreign diplomats, visitors, Russian officials and executives.
As in the US and Western Europe, the best medical care in Russia is often found in or associated with research institutes or medical schools. The St. Petersburg Medical Military Academy also has an excellent reputation.

RAMN = Russian Academy of Medical Sciences
MZRF = Ministry of Health of the Rus. Fed.
NII = Scientific Research Institute (Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Institut)
TsNII = Central Scientific Research Institute
VNII = All Russian Scientific Research Institute
R. Inst. = Research Institute

Medical Evacuation: See MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION BY AIR. These companies will usually provide assistance in flying you home by air or to the nearest European hospitals for treatment.

Alternative Medicine: Non-traditional medicine (homeopathy, herbal, oriental medicine) has a wide following in Russia. See NON-TRADITIONAL and EASTERN MEDICINE.

Signs You May See
Registratura = Medical records & registration
Spravochnoe = Patient info & visiting rules