Taking Care of your Health in Macau

When health in Macau is of concern, the health care system of the city is actually comparable to those of developed countries. The Macau SAR Government continues to invest vast resources to its health care system. In year 2000, 9.25% or 150 million U.S dollars of the government budget was allotted to improve health care in the city. Macau is now in possession of modern medical services with one private non-profit hospital, one public hospital, a number of health care centers and a handful of private clinics that all provide medical service to the people.

hospital, health, macau, — The S. Januario Hospital

There are two top-of-the-line hospitals that provide quality health care services to the Macau population. The first is the Public Conde de S. Januario that provides free heath care for the city’s population with its modern facilities. With 22 specialties, 4 support departments, hospitalization, pharmaceutical and administrative departments, the S. Januario is one of the most sought-after hospitals in the city. It offers free health and medical services for pregnant women, women in labor, elderly people, children under the age of10, primary and secondary school students, civil servants, drug addicts, prisoners, patients suffering from contagious diseases, cancer patients and psychiatric patients.

Kiang Wu Hospital is another charitable organization that provides health care services for the Macau people. The government finances the Kiang Wu Hospital by paying for those patients that come from the public hospital. In year 2001, the government donated 120 million patacas while the hospital raised another 230 million patacas to improve its facilities.

Aside from these two charitable medical care facilities, there are eight health care centers spread all throughout the territory that provide the same utmost medical care. All health care centers provide free basic health care services with an independent clinic that offers free consultation in traditional Chinese medicine.

Here are a few reminders to keep in mind when health in Macau is concerned:

Tap water can generally be regarded as safe but bottled water is still the best option, especially for tourists with sensitive stomachs.
Food is relatively safe to eat in all locations.
Milk is usually pasteurized but its best to avoid dairy products that are likely to have come from unboiled milk.
Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be washed and peeled.
Cases of Japanese encephalitis have been reported during the months of April to October.
It would be best for tourists to have immunization against Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis before visiting.
There have been some incidences of dengue fever.

In case of a medical emergency, travelers should go to either the S. Januario Hospital or the Kiang Wu Hospitals that are both constantly open and equipped with English-speaking staff on hand. The number to call in case of an emergency in Macau is 999. The city still has immediate plans to further improve its standards for health care by adding even more medical care systems and by strengthening its health care policies. With this information, travelers need not worry when health in Macau is concerned as the city is equipped to handle such medical emergencies with their extraordinary health care systems.