Updated 18 April 2014Medical care in Peru at private clinics is fine, you’ll have nothing to worry about if you need to go to the hospital. If you have kids, that often complicates things. Make sure to know the basics of taking care of your child. Clinics and hospitals are clean and have modern equipment. Often doctors have studied in foreign countries and have come back to Peru to work.
You can always check and see if your doctor is qualified by going to the Colegio Medico del Peru. Then on the left go to "Servicios" and "Conoce su medico". Doctors must be registered with the CMP in order to legally practise medicine in Peru. The US embassy has a list of recommended doctors.
Prevention
Wash food thoroughly before eating them. This includes foods with peeling, such as bananas. You can use a little bleach, vinegar or salt. Most grocery stores sell a special bleach for this purpose. If you're in a restaurant, avoid free salads or fruits unless you're certain they clean them well. Avoid street food. Carry toilet paper and a small container of liquid soap with you. Many places won't have these.
Vaccinations
You are not required to have any vaccinations for Peru. Yellow Fever is recommended if you're going to visit the jungle. However, some countries require you to have vaccinations to enter their country if you are coming from Peru, for example, Australia requires you to show proof of the Yellow Fever vaccine even if you haven’t visited the jungle.
Medical Insurance
Many medicines, including birth control, are cheaply available over-the-counter. Medical insurance is around 200 soles a month.
Eye Doctors
There are lots of eye doctors around blocks 19 and 20 of Arequipa where Jose Pardo de Zela crosses Arequipa. I was able to get 6 months of disposable contacts (Acuvue), glasses with frames, and an eye exam for 100 dollars.
Anti-Conception Medicine
Condoms are readily available here, so please use them. Good brands are Durex and Piel. As far as pills go, Yasmin (About 45 soles) is an international brand. AIDS, HIV and STDs are big problems here. Abortions are illegal, however, you can get them illegally, though I wouldn’t recommend it for safety reasons. The morning after pill is available at some pharmacies.
Giving Birth
Giving birth here can be a nightmare. The C-section rate is super high, at some places it's as high as 90%. You need to do your research ahead of time if you'd like to avoid tons of interventions and a C-section. Many hospitals don't provide basic things such as diapers, hats, clothes, blankets, bottles, etc. For more information, please see the articles, babies born in Peru as well as doulas, midwives, and birthing centers in Peru.
- Waiting for your baby has prenatal classes.
- Good Hope has been recommended as a good hospital.
Clinics in Lima
- Clinica Anglo Americana Avenida Alfredo Salazar, 3rd Block, San Isidro
- Clinica Internacional Various locations
- Clinica Javier Prado AV Javier Prado Este 499, San Isidro
- Clinica San Borja Avenida Guardia Civil 337, San Borja
- Clinica San Felipe Av. Gregorio Escobedo N 650, Jesus Maria
- Clinica Santa Isabel Av. Guardia Civil 13, San Borja
- Clinica Tezza Av. El Polo 570, Monterrico, Surco
- Good Hope
- Hospital del Nino: Instituto de Salud del Nino Avenida Brasil 600, Brena
- Centro Anti-Rabia: 425-6313, Austria 1300, Brena
- Maison de Sante Jr. Miguel Aljovin 208-222 Lima
Alternative Medicine
- Reflexologists: El Santuario Peru, Sisters of Saint Paul de Chartres, and Runawasi.
- Homopathic: La Herboristeria, Swiss Just, Fitosana, Homeo Peru, Rais Vida, Santa Natura and Natural Peru.
- Spas: Vie Spa
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