How does healthcare work in Asia, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Asia?

• Asia has a huge variation in the quality of healthcare. In some countries you will find ultra-modern care, while in other countries you would not even want to be treated for the flu. A number of countries are highlighted.
• High-quality care can be found in Singapore, Brunei, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, among others. Here you will find very good hospitals with well-trained healthcare workers and modern equipment everywhere. In Singapore and Taiwan, doctors usually speak good English, but this is not always the case in South Korea and Japan.
• Thailand and Malaysia are popular countries for medical tourism. In Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in particular, you will find ultra-modern and well-equipped healthcare institutions.
• Reasonable care is available in Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia, but then opt for private care.
• In general, care in cities is better and more extensive than in the countryside. This also applies to private versus public healthcare institutions.
• Laos, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Nepal, among others, leave much to be desired in terms of healthcare. Here, foreigners usually opt for private care, or they leave for another country for better care. Pharmacies are easily accessible in most developed countries, especially in cities. Many pharmacies are also open 24/7.
• Many medicines are available without a prescription, even medicines you might not expect.
• Large chains (e.g. Watsons, Guardian) in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia are reliable.

How does the public healthcare system work in Asia?

• Public health care in Asia varies greatly between countries, and between urban and rural areas within countries.
• Public health care is often cheap or even free for residents in many countries, but expats often have to pay and face long waiting times and lower standards.
• Medical knowledge is often sufficient, but the quality of care depends greatly on location, infrastructure and financing. In many countries, hospitals are overloaded and lack hygiene or modern equipment.
• Public institutions often only speak the local language. Medical staff are less accustomed to the cultural preferences of Western expats (such as partner presence during delivery, pain relief, personal attention).
• Waiting times are often long and facilities are basic. Delivery rooms and maternity wards can be busy, with little privacy.

How does the private healthcare system work in Asia?

• Private healthcare is the norm among foreigners in almost all of Asia: faster service, better hygiene, often English-speaking staff.
• In countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, the gap between public and private healthcare is large.
• Private healthcare costs more, but is often still cheaper than in the West.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Asia?

• In many Asian countries there is no "GP" like there is in many Western countries. People go directly to a hospital or specialist, even for minor complaints.
• In Japan, South Korea, Singapore and India (for higher income groups) there is a general practitioner system, often with appointment models. However, you can usually go directly to a hospital or specialist.
• In Southeast Asia (e.g. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) it is customary to go directly to a clinic or hospital anyway.

How is the dentist arranged in Asia?

• Good dental care in: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India (in cities).
• Medical tourists often travel to Thailand or India for affordable and good dental care.
• In poorer countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, dental care is often of low quality outside the capitals.

How is pregnancy care arranged in Asia?

• In many Asian countries there is access to both public and private care during pregnancy and childbirth. Although public care is sometimes free, private care is often the first choice for expats, because of the higher quality, better hygiene, shorter waiting times and greater chance of English-speaking staff. Singapore and Japan offer high-quality care comparable to Western Europe. Facilities are modern and the care provided professionally, although costs can be high.
• South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand also have excellent medical care, and many clinics cater to international clients.
• In India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the difference between urban and rural areas is large. In urban areas, good private care is often available, but in rural areas, hygiene, equipment and staffing can be lacking.
• In countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, there are still significant challenges to access, hygiene and safety around childbirth.
• Many expats in countries with less reliable care choose to give birth in their home country or in a nearby country with better facilities (such as Singapore, Thailand or Australia).

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Asia?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Asia?

• If you are considering a (temporary) relocation to Asia, you have a lot to choose from when it comes to safety, but in general it is a relatively safe continent in terms of violence and crime.
• Traffic, natural disasters and health issues are the biggest risks on this continent.
• Pickpockets and scams are a problem in tourist areas (Bangkok, Bali, Delhi, Kathmandu).
• Religious or political tensions occur locally (e.g. Myanmar, parts of India, Pakistan).
• The safest countries are Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia.
• Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are safe as long as you adhere to local customs and avoid crowds/risk areas.
• The least safe countries are Myanmar, Pakistan and certain parts of the Philippines and India.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Asia?

• Dengue, chikungunya and zika are widespread in Southeast Asia. Numbers increase during the rainy season. Malaria occurs in some parts of Asia such as parts of India, Indonesia (Papua), Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia.
• Rabies is common in Nepal, Indonesia, Cambodia and India.
• India, Nepal, Bangladesh, parts of China and Indonesia (forest fires) regularly have dangerous smog levels. This is especially a problem for people who already have respiratory problems.
• Japan, South Korea and Singapore have the least health risks.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Asia?

• Traffic safety also varies greatly per country. In Japan, Singapore and South Korea, traffic is safe and you will find excellent public transport.
• In Taiwan, traffic is chaotic with many scooters, but public transport is very modern.
• Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India, among others, fall into the middle mode. There are many accidents here, especially with motorcycles/scooters. Many foreigners choose to use taxi apps such as Grab and Uber.
• Some of the least safe countries in terms of traffic are Nepal, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Here the roads are usually bad, there is little enforcement and driving at night is risky.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Asia?

• Is the trip to Asia and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Asia if you are going to live there for a while?

• Use of public healthcare is discouraged in some countries and most expats opt for private healthcare. This entails considerable costs. For this reason, and to cover any medical evacuation and repatriation, international health insurance is recommended.
• Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.