Medical Services

Of course, it is best not to get sick at all but it is hardly possible, especially in a foreign country. When packing for a trip to Kazakhstan try to take all prescription medicines with you because they may not be available from local drugstores. Make sure you have a valid medical insurance covering the CIS region.

Emergency medical help is free in Almaty. Call 03 and give your address in Russian so that an ambulance could pick you up from home. This kind of medical help funded by the local authorities is often of low quality. Expatriates in Almaty prefer to use SOS International Clinic. It has expatriate medical staff and round the clock emergency service for its members. Address: 11 Lugansky St. Tel: 913030 or 642656. Another reliable institution is Charity Clinic Grace with foreign and local doctors. 159a Abay avenue, corner Rozybakiev St. Tel.: 469448.

In case of poisoning call 927055 (russian) for free medical consultation.

To learn if the medicine you are looking for is available and where, call free drugstore information service 505060 and 509787 (they speak russian!).

For more information, see Medical Services and Stomatology.