Health Care in Curitiba
Summary: Explore healthcare options for expatriates and digital nomads in Curitiba: uncover top-rated providers, hospitals, and medical facilities to meet your needs while living abroad in Curitiba.
Curitiba has both public and private healthcare systems. The public healthcare system is called SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) and is available to all citizens and residents of Brazil. Foreigners are allowed to use the public healthcare system, however, it is not recommended for serious medical emergencies or major surgery. Public hospitals in Curitiba are often overcrowded and understaffed, and the quality of care can be inconsistent.
Brazil's Healthcare System
Brazil's public healthcare system, SUS, is available to all citizens and residents of Brazil. It is free of charge and covers a wide range of medical services, including preventive care, primary care, and hospitalization. However, the quality of care in public hospitals can be inconsistent, and they are often overcrowded and understaffed. For this reason, many people opt to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Private hospitals in Curitiba are generally well-equipped and offer a higher quality of care than public hospitals.
Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Curitiba
- Hospital Santa Cruz - Private hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital São Lucas - Private hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital do Coração - Private hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital Erasto Gaertner - Private hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital Universitário Cajuru - Public hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital Universitário Evangélico - Private hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital Universitário Curitiba - Public hospital located in the city center.
- Hospital do Trabalhador - Public hospital located in the city center.
- Clínica de Olhos de Curitiba - Private clinic located in the city center.
- Clínica de Otorrinolaringologia de Curitiba - Private clinic located in the city center.
Emergency Services in Curitiba
Curitiba has a number of ambulance services available. To call for an ambulance, dial 192. Ambulances typically arrive quickly, however, there can be delays depending on the time of day and the severity of the emergency.
Health Insurance Companies in Curitiba
The most popular private health insurers in Curitiba are Amil, Bradesco Saúde, SulAmérica Saúde, and Unimed. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies or specialized expat health insurance providers.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.