Health care
In the Etelä-Kymenlaakso region, health care is provided by both the public and private sector. The Kymenlaakso Wellbeing Services County is responsible for public health services in the region, such as health centres, clinics and mental health services.
In urgent situations, help is available 24 hours a day from the emergency services or by calling the emergency number 112.
Public health care
In the Etelä-Kymenlaakso region, public health care services are provided by the Kymenlaakso Wellbeing Services County. Health centres offer both urgent and non-urgent appointments with nurses and doctors. Health centers mainly provide general practitioner-level health and medical services. Customers can contact their local health centre directly by telephone or use the digital services provided by the Wellbeing Services County.
Kymenlaakso also has the My Kymenlaakso app, which can be downloaded free of charge from the app store. To log in, you will need your online banking credentials.
Private medical centres
There are also several private medical centres in the area. Public health services are generally cheaper than those provided by private providers. Kela usually covers a small proportion of private medical visits if the client is covered by Finnish health insurance.
Emergencies and emergency care
Health centres are closed in the evenings and at weekends. This is when sudden illnesses and accidents are treated in the emergency department. This is for patients whose illness requires urgent assessment and treatment. In Etelä-Kymenlaakso, the 24-hour emergency service is located at the Kymenlaakso Central Hospital. In life-threatening cases, call the emergency number 112 directly.
Occupational health care
Employees often have access to occupational health services provided by their employer, which may include health checks, vaccinations, advice on how to cope at work and guidance on work-related health issues. These services are usually paid for by the employer and free of charge to the employee. Occupational health services are contacted directly through the workplace, and the extent of services may vary from one employer to another. Always check with your employer to make sure that the services are available and what they cover.
Pharmacy
In Finland, medicines can only be bought from pharmacies. Most medicines prescribed by a doctor also require a prescription. To get a prescription, you usually need to make an appointment with a doctor or nurse. If you are covered by Finnish health insurance, you may be able to get reimbursement from Kela for some prescription medicines. To be eligible for Kela reimbursement, you must have a Kela card.
Dental care and oral health
You can book an appointment for dental treatment, for example, through the Kymenlaakso wellness area’s appointment booking service, either online or by phone. Dental clinics are usually located in connection with health centres. There are also a number of private dental services in the area that offer alternatives to public care. Public treatment is usually cheaper and more information about the services and how to make an appointment can be found on the Kymenlaakso Wellbeing Services County website.
Counselling
Counselling services are free of charge in Finland. They are public services that support the well-being of children, families and expectant mothers. Maternity clinics monitor prenatal health and prepare children for parenthood, while child health clinics support children’s growth and development from birth to pre-school age. Family planning counselling is also part of the services provided by the clinic.
The visits include health checks, vaccinations and guidance on issues such as nutrition, sleep and parenting. The clinics work with other services, such as day care and social services, to refer families to additional support where necessary.
Mental health services
The Kymenlaakso Wellbeing Area offers a wide range of mental health services for people of all ages. The services are part of public health care and aim to support mental health, prevent mental health problems and provide treatment when needed.
The primary point of contact is your own health centre, where you will be assessed for treatment needs and offered support for issues such as depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges. In more serious situations, support is available from mental health centres or specialist health services such as psychiatric outpatient clinics and wards.
In acute crises, help is provided by the Kymenlaakso Crisis Centre and the psychiatric emergency service, which is available 24 hours a day. Special services are available for young people and children, including support from school psychologists, family counselling centres and child psychiatry. There are also mental health organisations in the area, such as MIELI, which provide peer support and crisis help.
Disability services
The Kymenlaakso Welfare Region provides disability services aimed at promoting the inclusion, well-being and independent living of people with disabilities or who need help due to illness. The services include housing, personal assistance, transport services, assistive devices, service counselling and support for everyday life. Special care services for people with intellectual disabilities are also available.
Services are based on individual needs and are sought through social work. The application includes an assessment of the client’s situation and a plan for the forms of support needed. More information on services, how to apply and contact details can be found on the Kymenlaakso Wellbeing Services County website or by contacting the disability services in the region.