Health insurance

If your insurance policy does not cover you outside your country, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a policy that does. Usually insurance companies provide short-term health insurance policies designed specifically to cover travel. As part of the coverage, these programs usually offer emergency consultation by telephone. They may refer you to the nearest hospital or call for help on your behalf. They may translate your instructions to a health care worker on the scene.

Medical care

Information on health precautions can be obtained from local health departments or consulate.

When you plan your trip, please, make sure, that you have all necessary medicines. You may bring your own medicines with you and keep them in the original, labeled containers in your hand luggage. Because of strict laws on narcotics, carry a letter from your physician explaining your need for any prescription drugs in your possession. Also bring along any toiletries and personal hygiene items that you will need.

Tourists in frail health are strongly advised not to visit because of the harsh conditions and lack of adequate medical facilities.

No immunizations are required for travelers to Ekaterinburg. However, sometimes tick-borne encephalitis may occur, especially if you have outdoor trip in local forests during the summer.

Tick-borne encephalitis is quite common in the region. Ticks can be means of spreading disease. If you are planning forest or mounting tours, you may turn to your doctor to inoculate you against tick-borne encephalitis.

We recommend you do not drink tapped water and drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for 20 minutes. You should avoid uncooked vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. Use only bottled water for brushing teeth. We advice you to buy bottled carbonated drinks or bottled water for drinking in local stores.

Useful information

Emergency and ambulance phone number — 03 (free call from any public phone).

If you call from your cell phone, add “0” or “9” (depending on your provider) before dialing (e.g. 0-03).

Medical service:

• Medicines are sold at pharmacies. Drugstore information service — 086; (343) 222 15 30
• Medical referral service — 003
• General information about patients, who admitted in hospitals in Ekaterinburg — (343) 376 16 61
• 24-hours medicine delivery service — (343) 214 46 46
• Information about rabies vaccination (if you were bitten by an insect or an animal) — (343) 347 25 46

Ambulance car near the City Hall. Photo by Alexander Kireev