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Maternal Healthcare Services in Spain

Maternal Healthcare Services in Spain
The foundations of the Spanish National Health System (SNS) are free access, equity of financing and funding from taxes. This allows the public sector to provide the most coverage. Oftentimes, this coverage is free of charge. Maternal healthcare services receive high regard in both public and private settings. However, this system faces many issues as well.

Healthcare is available to all Spanish residents for free. Social security payments guarantee almost everyone access to free healthcare. Moreover, some only need to pay a small percentage of fees. Furthermore, only non-residents with health insurance in other countries are not eligible for public healthcare in Spain.

Pros and Cons of Healthcare in Spain

The Spanish healthcare system generally offers high-quality services. There is a network of hospitals and medical centers with well-trained staff members. Additionally, the healthcare system also covers the direct family of a beneficiary. This includes dependents that are under 26 years of age and their siblings.

However, the waiting times for surgeries and treatment from specialist doctors can be extremely long. This is one of the main setbacks of public healthcare. Also, public healthcare services do not allow patients to choose their doctor or specialist. This is very troublesome for some people who wish to have a specific doctor.

Costs for Expecting Mothers

Mothers most often choose hospitals to have childbirth. However, the number of home births has been slowly increasing across Europe. In addition, the state health system does not cover home births in Spain. Moreover, less than 1% of Spanish midwives were registered to oversee home births legally in 2015.

Residents of Spain who use state healthcare can give birth for free. Yet, there may be additional costs with private insurance depending on the insurance plan. Thus, this option makes it easier to find a plan to fully cover the cost of childbirth. The cost of giving birth in Spain is about $1,950 without insurance. This is one of the lowest costs in the world.

Women must hold a private insurance policy for 6-12 months in order to have maternity costs covered. As such, the European Health Insurance Card does not include maternity care.

Maternity Leave

There is also a complicated process in receiving maternity leave. In order to have a standard maternity leave of 16 weeks, mothers must have been paying contributions for a set period of time depending on their age. Mothers are eligible for 18 weeks of maternity leave if they have twins and 20 weeks for triplets. Additionally, maternity leave can receive an extension to 18 weeks if the child has special needs or if the mother is a single parent.

Spain’s Social Security System (Seguridad Social) pays for maternal healthcare services. Mothers must receive paid contributions for at least 180 days within the last seven years to qualify.

The Spanish maternal healthcare system helps many people living in poverty. This system provides a way for people to receive care regardless of their socioeconomic status or salary. Furthermore, it provides a way for residents to choose between public and private options. These options gear towards those who want personalized treatments with a specific doctor.

Expecting mothers benefit from these affordable and accessible maternal healthcare services. Although aspects of the process are difficult and intricate, this service provides a way for Spanish women to give birth easily. This public healthcare system has made Spain a highly rated country for quality care and service.

– Miranda Kargol
Photo: Flickr

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5 Facts About Healthcare in Canada

Healthcare in Canada
Canada is a picturesque country famous for its maple syrup and hockey. This United States neighbor is also the second-largest country in the world, home to over 37.5 million people and 80,000 different animal species. Although tourists visiting Canada do not typically think about issues such as healthcare when visiting the country, this topic is highly controversial and important for most Canadian citizens. Here are five facts about healthcare in Canada.

5 Facts About Healthcare in Canada

  1. Canada’s universal healthcare does not cover prescription drugs. When people think about universal healthcare, they may mistakenly imagine free or very low-cost healthcare for every aspect of medicine. In reality, despite the country’s support of a universal healthcare system, only about 70% of health costs receive public funding. Canadians must cover the remaining expenses either directly or through private insurance.
  2. Chronic respiratory diseases are a significant part of many Canadian lives. As of 2012, over 1.9 million Canadians aged 35 and older —9.6% of the country’s total population — suffer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is a condition that obstructs the airways, causing shortness of breath and inducing heavy coughing. Combined with the projected growth in the number of afflicted individuals over time, this figure indicates that many Canadians will endure COPD at some point during their lives. Doctors in Canada treat this disease with a variety of medications, including antibiotics and opioids.
  3. The majority of doctors are self-employed and not government employees. Doctors bill the government for their services since all Canadians have an entitlement to free care from a physician. However, Canadian doctors work for themselves, coordinating their hours and offices. Doctors in Canada are also personally responsible for paying for their employees and for the spaces in which they practice.
  4. Canada recognizes mental illness as a serious issue. Mental illness impacts approximately one in every five Canadians, or 6.7 million people, every year. In fact, 500,000 Canadians each week are unable to work as a result of mental illness. Given the volume of citizens struggling with mental health, Canada has developed a necessary appreciation for this issue by legally recognizing mental illness as a medical condition and requiring insurance to cover psychiatric care. This coverage is accessible to nearly all Canadian citizens, regardless of medical history or income level. Although Canada’s strong acknowledgment of mental health and coverage of mental illness often receive underappreciation, this country truly prioritizes mental well-being.
  5. Cancer is Canada’s main medical concern. A study by cancer.ca shows that cancer is the number one cause of death in Canada. The study further reveals that one in two Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime, and one in four Canadians will ultimately die from the illness. These statistics have concerning implications for the country’s citizens, as well as their friends, families and employers. Predictions determine that lung, breast and prostate cancers are will afflict the highest population of Canadians in 2020, with lung cancer yielding the highest death rate at 25.5%. Given the substantial risk throughout the country and the preventable nature of this disease, many Canadians argue that greater actions must occur to prevent citizens from dying of cancer.

While the natural beauty of Canada might mask the true complexity of the country’s healthcare structure for many tourists, citizens see value in understanding and improving this system. Although citizens receive coverage for a majority of medical expenses, governments are ultimately responsible for continuing to foster efficient, affordable and extensive health programs to guarantee the well-being of all Canadians.

– Kate Estevez
Photo: Flickr

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The Accessibility of Healthcare in Malta

Healthcare in Malta
Malta is a picturesque country located in the Mediterranean, home to half a million people. While it is a tiny nation, healthcare in Malta is some of the best in the world. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Malta fifth out of more than 100 countries for its healthcare system. Other independent studies have found it to place even higher. Residents of Malta can choose between a public healthcare plan and purchasing a private one, and there are even options for tourists.

Citizens of Malta and other nations in the European Union have the option of receiving public healthcare or obtaining their own private insurance. The public healthcare plan is available to all citizens, legal residents who pay social security contributions and retirees. Taxes fund public health insurance, which covers any visits to public hospitals. It also covers a wide variety of conditions and issues, ranging from childbirth to rehabilitation. The plan includes special treatment as well, such as therapy and visits to special clinics. Due to the small size of Malta, it is fairly easy for residents to seek medical care no matter where they are. Public hospitals are easily accessible, with a total of eight spread across the country, as well as a network of smaller clinics and pharmacies.

Accessibility of Private Insurance

Some people will opt for private health insurance, which gives them a greater pool of doctors and hospitals to choose from. As public insurance does not cover non-E.U. citizens, they must also purchase a private plan. Private insurance is becoming increasingly popular; people often think that it is faster and easier to receive treatment this way. Costs vary depending on what the plan covers and most companies offer a range of options to suit the needs of each individual or family. Healthcare costs are generally very reasonable. Many residents will choose private insurance over the public one: an indication of how affordable healthcare in Malta is.

Citizens can also choose to rely primarily on the public healthcare system and pay for visits to private hospitals or clinics as they go. Medical costs and medicines are extremely affordable when compared to countries like the United States, so this is not an uncommon practice. A visit to the doctor will only cost about $20, and a visit to the specialist may cost $65.

Tourists and people on short visits from the E.U. nation can consider applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which will provide the same coverage as a local would receive from the public healthcare plan.

Conclusion

Residents of Malta have the freedom to either rely on the country’s public healthcare system or buy private insurance. The public insurance covers visits to any public hospital as well as a wide range of treatments and conditions. While it is a competent plan, some people choose to pay for a private plan. Private insurance provides a greater number of doctors and practitioners to choose from, allowing for visits to private hospitals and clinics. Private insurance providers typically offer several plans designated for the different needs of clients. Citizens are also free to rely mostly on public healthcare and pay for visits to private practices out of pocket.

People who lack access to healthcare are at a greater risk of falling into poverty, and poor health conditions keep people trapped in poverty. The cost of medical services can be a huge burden on individuals and their families. Women and children may have to leave school in order to help their families earn money, causing an education disparity which only leads to more severe impoverishment. A good healthcare system is paramount to reduce poverty in a nation. Malta’s public healthcare system offers its benefits and services to everyone, keeping Maltese citizens out of poverty.

– Alison Ding
Photo: Flickr