Of course, it is best not to get sick at all but it is hardly possible, especially in a foreign country. When packing for a trip to Kazakhstan try to take all prescription medicines with you because they may not be available from local drugstores. Make sure you have a valid medical insurance covering the CIS region.
Emergency medical help is free in Almaty. Call 03 and give your address in Russian so that an ambulance could pick you up from home. This kind of medical help funded by the local authorities is often of low quality. Expatriates in Almaty prefer to use SOS International Clinic. It has expatriate medical staff and round the clock emergency service for its members. Address: 11 Luganskogo St. Tel: 91-30-30 or 64-26-56. Another reliable institution is Charity Clinic Grace with foreign and local doctors. 159a Abay avenue, corner Rozybakiev St. Tel.: 46-94-48. In case of poisoning call 92-70-55 for free medical consultation.
To learn if the medicine you are looking for is available and where, call free drugstore information service 50-50-60 and 50-97-87. For more information about medical services in Almaty, please refer to the A-Business directory on-line database. Unfortunately, it is currently available only in Russian. Printed English language directories can be ordered at 63-37-83, 63-59-44 and abusiness@nursat.kz.
