Health care

Medical care is of high quality in The Netherlands. It is, however, of the utmost importance for you to be properly insured, since medical costs can be very high, especially when you need specialised help. Dutch health insurance usually covers the costs of admission to hospital and medical treatment, medicines, visits to general practitioners (GPs) and specialists. Once medical insurance has been settled, a person can make use of the Dutch health care system. Dutch health insurance usually covers the costs of admission to hospital and medical treatment, medicines, visits to family doctors and specialists.

General Practitioner

In first instance the family doctor (huisarts) takes care of medical questions or medical help. For lesser illnesses, the family doctor holds office hours, but only by appointment. Most general practitioners speak English, but it is important to check if they participate in your insurance company. For more specialised expertise family doctors can send patients to specialists, dentists, eye doctors by referral. The ESSC office can refer students and staff to a family doctor and dentist in Rotterdam who are willing to help foreign guests in particular.

Pharmacy

Most medicines are only available on prescription. You will receive the prescription from the general practitioner and you can get your medicine(s) at a pharmacy (apotheek). The chemist's (drogist) sells medicines such as aspirin and cough medicine, which require no prescription, over the counter. There is always a pharmacy open, also at weekends. Every pharmacy has a notice stating which one is open during the weekend and in the evenings.

Hospitals

The most important hospitals in Rotterdam are: • Erasmus Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Dr. Molenwaterplein 40, tel. (010) 463 9222 • St. Franciscus Gasthuis, Kleiweg 500, tel. (010) 461 6161 • IJsselland Ziekenhuis, Prins Constantijnweg 2, tel. (010) 258 5000 • Medical Centre Rijnmond-Zuid (MCRZ), Groene Hilledijk 315, tel. (010) 290 3000

Other Health Care Organisations
        • First Aid (EHBO)

At the casualty department of one of the hospitals, you can get emergency help 24 hours a day. Ask for the EHBO-post (pronounce: ae-haa-bae-o). The emergency telephone numbers are: Ambulance: 112 Fire brigade: 112 Police: 112 Drugsline: (010) 414 5493

        • Area Health Authority (GGD)

The Area Health Authority for Rotterdam and its surroundings aims at promoting the health of the population. The GGD has a preventive as well as a caring mandate. Most vaccinations can be obtained at the GGD (for instance vaccinations for people who plan to go to the tropics). Foreigners who come to The Netherlands do not usually have to be vaccinated at the GGD. However, people coming from high-risk areas (in non-western countries) are advised to have a test for tuberculosis at the GGD. Address: GGD, Schiedamsedijk 95, 3011 EN Rotterdam, tel. (010) 433 9933

        • Psychological help

If you have psychological problems, the RIAGG can help you. The RIAGG is an organisation for ambulatory mental health care. The telephone numbers are: North-West Rotterdam, tel. (010) 440 2402 South Rotterdam, tel. (010) 496 0899 North-East Rotterdam, tel. (010) 400 4699

        • Help for crime victims

'Slachtofferhulp' offers first aid and emergency relief after shocking events such as crimes and traffic accidents. The organisation also offers discussion groups for women who have been raped and for victims of anti-homosexual violence. Address: Bureau Slachtofferhulp, Westersingel 6, 3014 GM Rotterdam, tel. (010) 436 0144

        • Sexual health

Contraceptives such as the pill can be bought on prescription from a doctor. Condoms can be bought at practically every supermarket or at the chemist's. Some public places have condom dispensers. If you need a morning-after pill or the like, you can turn to you local doctor or the Rutgers Stichting.

        • Women's Shelter

'Blijf van mijn Lijf' means 'Keep away from Me'. It is a shelter for women who have been battered or threatened with violence by their partner. Women with a drug problem, women with serious psychiatric problems and women whose safety cannot be guaranteed are not admitted. Tel. (010) 418 9929

        • AIDS and HIV - Assistance

Aids - infoline (in Dutch): 06 - 0222220 Aids - infoline (in Chinese): 06 - 0223338 Aids - infoline (in Moroccan): 06 - 0992255 Aids - infoline (in Turkish): 06 - 0994488 Group counselling for HIV-positive men and women, partners and relatives. Address: Humanitas, Pieter de Hoochweg 110, 3024 BH Rotterdam, tel. (010) 425 0107