Embassy of the United States Kyiv, Ukraine

Medical facilities in Ukraine do not meet Western standards.  Travelers with pre-existing conditions should carefully consider whether adequate care would be available during a trip to Ukraine. We encourage U.S. citizens planning a trip to Ukraine to purchase traveler's insurance before departing and to familiarize themselves with the conditions of their existing medical coverage and medical resources in Ukraine.

No medical facilities in Ukraine accept U.S. health insurance plans for direct payment. Private clinics can be as expensive as similar clinics in the United States and may require payment in advance. More information can be found online in Ukrainian or by calling +38 (044) 206-2885 from abroad or 8-800-500-1080 from within Ukraine.

In case of a medical emergency, please contact the U.S. Embassy Consular Section at your earliest convenience.

Consular Section
4 Aircraft Designer Igor Sikorsky St.
Kyiv, 04112
Tel.: +38 (044) 521-5566
Fax: +38 (044) 521-5544 
24 hour Emergency Number: +38 (044) 521-5000

Routine Medical Problems

When confronted by a medical problem, the first step is to determine the seriousness and to decide whether the patient is better off staying home, in a hotel, with a friend or family member and using available medicine or whether the patient should seek additional assistance at a healthcare facility.  Conditions such as mild gastrointestinal distress, respiratory illness, painless skin irritation, colds, and other common problems often resolve themselves without professional medical attention.

The Embassy maintains a list of local medical facilities, some with English-speaking staff, where help can be found if the situation warrants professional care.

Many cases warranting care abroad are handled as routine departures on commercial flights.  In these cases, consular section staff may be able to facilitate boarding on the next available flight, arrange ambulance transport to the aircraft, and request medical personnel meet the aircraft at the destination airport.  The patient must be well enough to fly on a regularly scheduled flight to a city in Western Europe or the United States.  Sometimes the patient may need to be accompanied by a family member, friend, or qualified medical personnel.  If needed, the consular section can request boarding for both the ill U.S. citizen and the accompanying passenger.  Airlines sometimes require a written release from the passenger or his or her doctor to transport someone who is ill.  Please consult with the airline for any specific requirements.  Please note, the ill U.S. citizens or his or her family is responsible for all costs related to medical care and/or medical evacuation.

Problems Requiring Care at a Western Facility

In most cases, U.S. diplomats and military personnel travel to Western Europe for medical care.  Private U.S. citizens may seek medical care in Germany or any Western European country with the understanding that pre-payment in the national currency is often necessary and a local physician must authorize a hospital admission.  The US Consulate General in Frankfurt (49) 69 7535-0, 7532-3700 (after hours), fax: 748-938 can provide information on German medical facilities.  The ability of the Consulate to intervene on behalf of U.S. citizens especially transiting passengers wishing hospitalization in Germany is limited.