The health
care system in Norway has both public and private medical services and facilities.
Norwegian
National Insurance Scheme (Folketrydgen) This is the public health service financed by the Norwegian government
and administered by each county (kommune).Most communities have a public
medical clinic (helsesenter) where residents
of the area may make an appointment to see a doctor.In this system, you always see a general practitioner first,
who may refer you to a specialist, if necessary.
Special
clinics for well-baby care (helsestasjon) are a unique part
of this system.At these clinics,
children under school age are weighed and measured on a regular basis and given
the necessary immunizations.Nurses specializing in well-baby
care and child development are available to answer questions and discuss concerns
about your child.
Doctors in Private Practice Many Norwegian doctors have their own private practices.They are listed in the yellow pages under “Leger – Almenn praksis” (Doctors
– General Medicine).You may call
any of these doctors in your area and make an appointment.
Walk-In Emergency Medical Service (Legevakt) First aid stations (legevakt) are located in most communities
to serve those who have a non-life threatening illness or injury and who must
be seen by medical personnel immediately.The following public emergency
medical service is available in Oslo 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:Municipal Legevakt, Storgt. 40,
0182 Oslo, tel: 22 11 80 80.
Private
Medical Clinics Several
private medical clinics have been established in Oslo. Emergency walk-in services
are available as well as scheduled appointments for both specialists and general
practitioners.
Red Cross Klinikk, Fredrik Stangsgt.
11/13, 0264 Oslo, tel:: 22 54 11 11.
Dental
Care Most
Norwegian dentists have their own private practices and can be found in the yellow
pages under “Tannleger”(Dentists).
Children
are called in to the kommunal dentist office at age 3. This office is located
in a nearby school.Their appointments are sent to
you in the mail.Be sure to reply
to the card if you are unable to make your appointment.I received a nasty note when I returned from vacation that
if I did not take my daughter to her next appointment she would be thrown out
of the system.The good news is the
Norwegian government pays for your children’s dentistry needs.
Emergency Dental Services in Oslo
Tannlegevakten, (County)open outside normal office
hours, at Tøyen Senter, Kolstadgt 18, 0653 Oslo, tel: 22 67 30 00.
Oslo Private Tannlegevakt,Hansteensgt. 3(next
to the U.S. Embassy)tel: 22
44 46 36
Pharmacies
(Apotek) One pharmacy (apotek) is always open in each
district.A schedule of opening hours
can be obtained at any pharmacy or by calling directory assistance, tel:180.
In
Oslo
Jernbanetorvets Apotek, Jernbanetorget 4 B (across from the Central
Railway Station in Oslo), tel: 22 33 69 24, is open 24 hours a day.
Sagene Apotek, Grimstadgt. 21, tel:
22 18 22 00, and Sfinxen Apotek, Bogstadvn. 51,tel: 22 46 34 44 are open
until 9:00 p.m. on week nights and until 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Norway
has extensive health services and a well-developed social safety net. All those
who are resident in Norway have a right to economic assistance and other forms
of community support during illness, old age or unemployment. About 35 per cent
of the state's budget is spent on the Norwegian health and social welfare system.
Two laws - the National Insurance Act and the Social Care Act - are the statutory
mainstays of Norwegians' social rights. Read
more in an article (English) by Målfrid Bolstad found on the Norwegian Government's
web site, Odin.
Doctor's Offices
- Oslo O.K.,
you move to Norway, you get sick, now what?To find the doctor's (lege) office
nearest you call your Bydel (section of the city) office (listed below). While
you are on the phone with the Bydel office ask if they will send you a Bydel Guide.
It is a local phone book with excellent maps of your area.
Armed
with the doctors phone number, just call and make an appointment. If you have
sick child she/he will be seen before all other patients. You do not have to pay
the doctor for examining your sick child--that luxury is taken care of by the
Norwegian government via your tax dollars! Once you arrive at the office just
sit down and wait for your doctor to call your name.Unlike the doctors offices in America,
you do not see the receptionist first to fill out paperwork.You even pay the doctor directly once
the examination is concluded.It
is that easy.
Most doctor's offices are open from 8:00
to 15:00.
