Most of us often ignore our health until the body really starts to complain from hurt or infection. But something in Finland is that locals do everything to keep fit, adopt healthy lifestyle, take to the sauna to train the body and just burn calories at best. But then as an expat in Finland, you need to really take a keen interest in the healthcare in Finland because understanding it ultimately contributes to the overall wellbeing and stay in the country.
Like the rest of the Nordic countries, many people have lauded Finland for its quality public service and state welfare generosity. In terms of medical systems, it is based on public healthcare service, which is universal to all Finnish residents. For that, expatriates and Finnish have shown great gratitude by working hard in return.
Among the core values of Finnish healthcare is to enhance the longevity of the vibrant and healthy lifespan of its citizen. Without a doubt, they have achieved improving neutral quality healthcare. This is in spite of racial disparities. Whether Finnish or expatriate, you are well covered in the Finish public healthcare services as long as you are a resident.
For a non-EU member state citizen traveling to Finland specifically for medication, be certain to get it. Even so, it will be at your own expense. The EU member state citizens are insured by their home country. Thus, they are treated as equals to Finn’s residents. This means that they can receive medical attention free in either public or private health institutions.
Finnish health is divided into public and primary healthcare. Additionally, it has specialized medical care for records. The most exciting news is that you don’t need to worry about urgent medical attention. The primary healthcare is right within your municipality to attend to you. Besides, private healthcare becomes handy to complement public healthcare.
Are you an ex-pat living in Finland and you need medical services? Then you do not need to worry because, at the public hospitals, you will get free services. However, if you want to go to private healthcare you will have to use your own money. If you have insurance then you may be lucky because the insurance company may cater for the medical bills.
Operations of Specialized Medical Care in Finland
In Finland, if you have a medical condition that needs special care, you will get a referral to special unit care. Also, in most cases, such provisions take place in hospitals. Specialized unit care in Finland is a joint municipality authority that forms a district hospital.
Moreover, five catchment areas of municipalities can join to form highly specialized healthcare. Such hospitals are normally set up around University hospitals like Turku, Helsinki…name it. Unfortunately, they are only five such hospitals in Finland.
With great relief, people who suffer from rare diseases, or maybe require specialized surgery, are preferable for the specialized units. For instance, a condition like an organ transplant will demand medical attention at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Explicitly, most clinical training and medical research take place within university hospitals.
Strategies for Reducing the Number of Beds in Finland
For quite some time now, Finland has had a breaking record for the higher number of beds than other countries. Speaking the truth is not a thing of pride. In recent years, the Finnish government has laid strategies to reduce the number of beds in the medical units by;
- Making referrals to patients with milder medical cases, and taking treatment at the outpatient desks.
- Administering transfer on post-operative medical cases to other, less congested unit care for outpatient attention.
- Setting the seal on properly reduced the number of emergency units.
How KELA Finance Public Healthcare in Finland
As a national social security, KELA finances primary healthcare through municipal and state taxes. Although other parties like private insurance and benefit societies contribute, the public sector tops the list. It is unlikely that Finland only spends about 7% of its national gross on healthcare expenses. Whereas, the public makes it 76%. What a burden!
Advantages of Free Healthcare in Finland
Despite the rooftop tax chargeable to the public, most Finns are very comfortable with their healthcare systems. Unlike other corrupt countries, Finns take pride in their medical provisions, which serve several benefits.
It is free to all Finland residents
Expatriates and Finnish locals receive equal medical assistance, thanks to the Finnish government. Even if they have complaints, at least no Finn has been caught in red because of the notorious medical cost. That alone saves some coins for other bills like internet subscriptions, which is also vital in Finland.
Quality healthcare services
Perhaps you didn’t know, but Finland falls among the top five countries with the lowest maternal deaths. Honestly, Finns delight in the best prenatal and postnatal care than other European countries. From a keen look, you will realize that Finns have extended longevity than Americans.
It saves on urgent medical bills
Speaking the truth, sickness never knocks to inform arrival. As unexpected as it pops, it needs urgent financial intervention. It can be even nastier when it calls in the middle of the month with no savings in your account. For sure, many patients from countries that do not cover medical expenses have succumbed to their sicknesses. For this one reason, the Finns are safer medically.
The Black Spots of Free Healthcare Services in Finland
The recent decrease in Finn’s birthrate and increased longevity is a big worrying issue for the government. Since free healthcare relies on public taxpayers, there is a looming crisis in the future. Whereas low birth depicts low taxation, longer life expectancy shows overdependence by old age. This kind of imbalance poses uncertainties for free healthcare in the coming generations.
Another is the overcrowding of patients at the municipalities for primary healthcare. This is questionable in terms of quality. Due to overcrowding, patients usually have to wait for a long period before they are attended to. Is that not somehow risky?