REVISED: January 2, 2001
The American Embassy Montevideo Health Unit is staffed by
a locally hired doctor, Jorge Stanham, Jr., who is the Medical
Advisor to the Embassy. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Regional Medical
Officer based in Santiago visits Montevideo on a regular
basis and appointments to see him can be made with the Personnel
Office.
HEALTH UNIT
The Health Unit is located on the first floor of the Embassy,
to the left of the elevator and has a doctor's office and
waiting room. Its supplies include first aid equipment,
common medications, antibiotics and examination facilities.
The doctor is available to: 1) provide health information
and guidance and assist with securing appropriate health
care providers; 2) make medical diagnoses, give treatments
and medications; 3) provide health care as outlined by MED
and under the guidelines of the RMO; and 4) administer vaccines.
There is a list of local Uruguayan physicians,
dentists, and hospitals attached.
LOCAL ILLNESSES
In general, Montevideo is a healthy place to live. There
are no indigenous medical problems specific to the city,
such as malaria or schistosomiasis, which are present in
parts of Brazil. In the rural areas of Uruguay where cattle
and sheep are raised, hydatid disease (echinococcosis) is
present. This is a disease contacted by humans via the contamination
of food with dog feces. Contact with strange dogs anywhere
in South America is to be avoided. Other intestinal parasites
and worms are very uncommon in Uruguay. Dengue has not yet
been reported in Uruguay. Rabies has not been reported in
Uruguay for more than 20 years.
HEPATITIS "A"
Hepatitis "A" occurs occasionally in Montevideo,
especially during the summer months. All Americans who never
had Hepatitis "A" are encouraged to get Hepatitis
A vaccine.
WEATHER
Since Montevideo is in a sub-tropical zone there are four
seasons. It can be very cold and wet and windy in the winter
and there are the usual problems with frequent colds and
sore throats, both in the winter and during the change of
seasons. Upper respiratory tract allergies (rhinitis, sinustis,
pharyngitis) and lower-tract allergies (tracheobronchitis,
asthma) may be aggravated.
WATER
Tap water is safe to drink in the city of Montevideo and
in most urban areas; it does not have to be filtered or
boiled. When traveling in rural areas, it is best to drink
bottled water. Although Uruguay is cholera-free, special
care with water and uncooked fruits and vegetables is recommended.
The water is low in fluoride and fluoride supplements are
recommended for children under 12. These are available in
the Health Unit and at local pharmacies.
MILK AND OTHER
FOODSTUFFS
Fresh milk in plastic sacks and "long-life" milk
in cartons is safe to drink. The fresh milk and cream and
milk products such as yoghurt and ice cream and cheese are
one of the advantages of living here. There are no medical
problems with them. There is an abundance of meat and fish
of many varieties and the quality is excellent. Pork must
be well-cooked as in every other place in the world.
Fruits and vegetables abound and it is recommended that
green leafy vegetables and fruits that are not peeled before
eating be thoroughly washed with tap water before consumption.
BEACHES/POOLS
The city of Montevideo is built along the River Plate and
there are beaches along the river from the city to the Atlantic
Ocean, some 90 miles due east. The beaches within the city
limits are somewhat polluted, and the farther from the city
one goes toward the ocean, the cleaner the water. A good
general rule is to bathe in beaches starting from Atlántida
to the East (30 miles from Montevideo). Main problems associated
with swimming in these polluted waters are hepatitis, abdominal
cramps and diarrhea, skin and external ear infections. Most
sports clubs have swimming pools that are usually well-cared
for and safe.
INSECTS
Parents should caution children against touching the bicho
peludo (green or black hairy caterpillar) which inhabits
gardens, trees, and plants. The caterpillar may be poisonous,
causing an allergic skin reaction when touched.
The zone around the Department of Rocha and north into Brazil
is the home of the mosca verde whose eggs are carried by
flies and mosquitoes, and occasionally deposited in the
skin upon being bitten. If a bite aches inside, runs a clear
liquid, and does not heal the larva which has hatched can
be coaxed from under the skin by applying a small piece
of salt pork (tocino) held on by a bandaid. If ineffective
within 24 hours, consult a physician. Dogs can also be infected,
but the larva will crawl out in about 45 days.
LEAD
Gasoline in Uruguay is mostly leaded. Some older houses
have lead piping and lead-based paint. This may account
for a slightly higher exposure to lead, but never to the
extent to be a major health problem.
DENTISTS
Most forms of dental care are available in the city. Dental
care can be expensive here and the level of care, although
in most cases adequate, is not quite up to what one has
come to expect in the United States.
DOCTORS
Most Uruguayan physicians are graduates of the local medical
school, although many have done extra training in the United
States and Europe. It is not difficult to find one who speaks
English. Doctors in South America tend to approach patients
in a somewhat different manner than Americans are used to,
although the outcome of the treatment is usually the same.
Some Latin physicians do not readily explain things to patients.
NURSES AND PARAMEDICAL
PERSONNEL
Well-trained, qualified nurses are found in this part of
the world. Most have attended at least three years of nursing
school. However, most of the floor duty is done by nurses
aides who have "on the job" training. English
speaking nurses are, unfortunately, scarce.
HOSPITALS
One of many hospitals in Montevideo, the British Hospital
is the one most commonly used by the American Embassy. Most
doctors on the attached list are members of the British
Hospital staff. It provides inpatient care in private rooms,
24/365 emergency room care, on-call specialists and has
an outpatient facility with nearly all specialties.
PHARMACIES
Most drugs, except tranquilizers, stimulants and certain
antibiotics are still available without a prescription over
the counter. Unfortunately, it is difficult to know what
is available and what is not. Although there is a pharmacopoeia
listing the drugs in Uruguay sometimes one may have to shop
around a bit to find the drug one is looking for. As a general
rule, one can find American drugs or their equivalent. There
has been no difficulty with the quality of drugs purchased
on the local market, as long as the manufacturer is the
local branch of a U.S. or European company. However, because
of the uncertainty, it is again emphasized that Americans
coming here bring a supply of whatever drugs they are consuming.
MEDICAL EVACUATIONS
Persons requiring elective major surgery are given the option
of being medically evacuated, except in the case of an emergency.
Other persons offered medical evacuation are those requiring
care that is not offered here or needing sophisticated laboratory
examinations that are not available here.
Uncomplicated labor and delivery are performed here routinely.
However, the Medical Director recommends medical evacuation
for labor and delivery to the Continental U.S.
EMERGENCY SERVICE/AMBULANCES
In case of an emergency (real or perceived), Embassy personnel
and their families can call the Servicio de Emergencia Médico
Móvil (SEMM) Tel. 159 or 710-1111 or 711-1111. Explain
the emergency to the person who answers the call and identify
yourself as an Embassy employee.
This service will provide an ambulance and physician to
go WHEREVER the person in need of assistance may be within
the limits of Montevideo and the "Ciudad de la Costa".
Outside of Montevideo, arrangements exist between SEMM and
local similar emergency services. Care provided by SEMM
extends not only to accident victims but to people with
chronic illnesses as well, i.e. asthmatics, diabetics, etc.
If the person in need of care is a child, he/she will be
attended by a pediatrician. The Servicio de Emergencia Médico
Móvil will come to the home if the child has a high
fever, respiratory distress, convulsions, etc.
If hospitalization is deemed necessary, they will transport
the patient to the medical facility of his/her choice. There
they will try to get in touch with the patient's personal
physician. If that is not possible, the duty doctor will
take over the care.
If the patient can be transported without difficulty he/she
can go or be taken to the SEMM "policlínica"
(outpatient facility) (Bulevar Artigas 992; the Carrasco
post: Avda. Boliva 1384), where he/she will be seen by a
physician.
In any of these instances, the treatment is given free of
charge.
Embassy families who have used the service have all been
very satisfied with the treatment received. They found the
doctors to be able, concerned and sympathetic to the patient
and the family.
As a general rule, in the case of a real or perceived emergency
go to the British Hospital straight away (either on your
own or via SEMM) and ask to be seen by the resident Doctor
(Médico de Guardia) or by Drs. Stanham (Jr.), Pietropinto
or Kleist, if present in the Hospital.
IMMUNIZATIONS
CHILDREN: The standard vaccines given in the U.S. are recommended
in Uruguay. These are available in the Medical Unit or at
the British Hospital (free of charge).
ADULTS:
The only recommended immunizations are Tetanus-diphtheria
(every 10 years) and Hepatitis B (single series of 3 doses
over 6 months). Adults without a history of Hepatitis "A"
may be vaccinated against this disease. Yellow fever, typhoid
and cholera vaccines are not required nor recommended in
Uruguay. Adults born after 1956 may need to be revaccinated
against measles.
LIST OF DOCTORS
AND DENTISTS
The attached list of medical facilities, doctors, and dentists
includes those who are familiar to and who have been used
by Americans in Uruguay. IT IS BY NO MEANS CONCLUSIVE OR
RESTRICTIVE AND AMERICANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO HELP US IDENTIFY
OTHER DOCTORS AND DENTISTS WITH WHOM THEY HAVE HAD SUCCESS
AND WHOM THEY RECOMMEND. THE LIST DOES NOT IMPLY A TOTAL
AND UNRESERVED ENDORSEMENT, AND THE EMBASSY CANNOT ACCEPT
RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCLUDING SOME WHILE OMITTING OTHERS.
January 2001
PLEASE DETACH THIS LIST AND
KEEP IT POSTED NEAR YOUR PHONE
HOSPITALS
British Hospital, Avda. Italia 2420, Phone: 487-1020; Outpatient
Department: Appointments 487-5465/66/67. Reception: exts.
300, 325; Messages for doctors: ext. 320. Gynecology/Obstetric
clinic: 487-2781.
Hospital Militar, Avda. 8 de Octubre 3020, Phone: 487-1793
AMBULANCES
Servicio de Emergencia Médico Móvil
(under U.S. Embassy contract), Bulevar Artigas 870, Phone:
159; 710-1111 & 711-1111
Unidad Coronaria Móvil, Phone: 147; 480-0000 &
487-0000
PHYSICIANS
Dr. Jorge Stanham, Jr., (Post Medical Advisor),
speaks English. Phone: Home 710-1051, Office 487-1020, exts.
320 (outpatients clinic) or 325 (Ms. Gloria Trelles, Medical
Director's secretary), Pager: 903-1111 code 12067, cellular
phone 099-688519. Attends in Medical Unit (ext. 2189): Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 15:30 to 17:30 (3:30 p.m. to 5:30
p.m.). (Call the Personnel Office to set up an appointment.)
Dr. Javier Pietropinto, speaks English, Phone: 487-1020,
Home 708-3146
(Dr. Pietropinto is Dr. Stanham's replacement in Medical
Unit during vacation.), Pager 903-1111, code 34249.
Dr. Pierre Kleist, speaks English, Phone: 487-1020; 601-8252;
Pager: 903-1111, code 9172.
PEDIATRICIANS
Dr. Gonzalo Etcheverry, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020. Phone: 099-614-161
Dr. Jorge Vidal, speaks Spanish, British Hospital 487-1020,
Cellular phone: 094-44-5641
Dr. Paul Estol, speaks English, Pager: 1900, code 9212,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Ricardo Mutilva, Clínica del Niño: Almirante
Harwood 6144, Phone:600-0566; Pager: 902-4924, code 6980
Dra. Raquel Magri, speaks English, Clínica del Niño,
Almirante Harwood 6144, Phone: 600-0566, Cellular phone:
099-615-541, Specializes in Drug Addictions and Biofeedback
Dr. Marcelo Ruvertoni, Pediatrics and children's dermatology,
Cellular phone: 099-622-418, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Juan Morelli, Pager 903-1111, code 12588; Cellular phone:
099-668-685, British Hospital 487-1020
SURGEONS
Dr. Raúl Morelli, speaks English,
Pager: 900-3513, code 9136, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Gustavo Veirano, speaks English, Pager: 903-1111, code
9222, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Luis Praderi, speaks English, Pager: 903-1111, code
6336, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Ruver Berazategui, British Hospital 487-1020 (children's
surgery)
DERMATOLOGIST
Dr. José Espasandín, speaks
some English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Carlos Carmona, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
PLASTIC SURGEONS
Dr. Enrique Fossati, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Gonzalo Maccio, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
GYNECOLOGISTS OBSTETRICIANS
Dr. Juan Carlos Scasso, speaks English, Phone:
Office 487-2781
Dr. Santiago Varela, speaks English, Phone: Office 487-2781,
Pager: 903-1111 code 6894
Dra. Marisa Dellepiane, speaks English, British Hospital
487-2781; Pager: 903-1111, code 6779, Office: Luis P. Ponce
1532, phone 708-8033
Dr. Juan Alves, speaks English, British Hospital 487-2781,
Pager: 903-1111, code 12510
Dra. Graciela Yamgotchian, speaks English. Phone: Office
487-2781 (does not do obstetrics; specialist in adolescent
and post-menopausal gynecology.)
Dr. Ricardo Pou, Luis P. Ponce 1570, phone: 707-5421, 707-5874,
708-1415
OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
Dr. Miguel Martínez, speaks English,
British Hospital 487-1020, Office: Bulevar Artigas 1511,
tel: 408-6262 (Clínica de Ojos)
Dr. Fernando De Santiago, speaks English, British Hospital
487-1020, Office: Clínica de la Visión, Ellauri
690, tel. 711-0067
Dr. José Noel, British Hospital 487-1020
Dra. Alicia Harispe, British Hospital 487-1020
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT
Dr. Hamlet Suárez, speaks English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. José L. García-Peluffo, speaks English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Alberto Algorta, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Eduardo Munyo, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
GASTRO-ENTEROLOGIST
Dr. Daniel Taullard, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Santiago Carbajal, British Hospital 487-1020
NEUROLOGIST
Dr. Alejandro Scaramelli, speaks English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dra. Diana Yorio, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
NEURO-SURGEONS
Dr. Walter Perillo, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Miguel Estable, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
PHYCHIATRISTS
Dr. Alexander Lyford-Pike, speaks English,
Office: Ellauri 1221, Phone: 708-2719
Dr. Daniel Flores, speaks English, Office: Centro Clínico
del Sur, Br. Artigas 1277, Phone: 408-8989
Dr. Guillermo Castro (children), speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020, Office: Centro Clínico del Sur,
Br. Artigas 1277, Phone: 408-8989
Dr. Derek McClew, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Ariel Gold (children´s psychiatrist), speaks English,
Office: Centro Clínico del Sur, Br. Artigas 1277,
Phone: 408-8989
ALLERGY SPECIALIST
Dr. Juan F. Schuhl, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
ENDOCRINOLOGIST
Dra. Ana Paseyro, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dra. Nibya Leiva, speaks some English, British Hospital
487-1020
LUNG SPECIALIST
Dr. Luis Piñeyro, speaks English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Javier Pietropinto, speaks English, Phone:487-1020;
Pager: 903-1111, code 34249
GERONTOLOGY SPECIALIST
Dr. Alvaro Pintos, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
VASCULAR SURGEON
Dr. José Arias, speaks some English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Daniel Corradi, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
TRAUMATOLOGY AND ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Dr. Ricardo Mangarelli, speaks some English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Alberto Fernández, speaks English, British Hospital
487-1020
Dr. Fernando Motta, knee specialist, speaks some English,
British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Juan Lasa, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Juan P. del Campo, speaks English, British Hospital
487-1020
Dr. Gonzalo Maquieira, speaks English, British Hospital
487-1020
Dr. J. Besio, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
CARDIOLOGIST
Dr. Juan R. Superchi, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Gabriel Vanerio, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dra. Matilde Canabal, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Gonzalo Alonso, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
UROLOGY
Dr. Renzo Puppi, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Gustavo Malfatto, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Roberto Puente, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
SPORTS MEDICINE
Dr. Juan M. Stefani, Office: A. Espínola
1944, Phone: 600-5732, 900-3153 (in the mornings), Cellular
phone: 099-624-845
ONCOLOGIST
Dr. Gaspar Catalá, speaks English,
British Hospital 487-1020
HEMATOLOGIST
Dr. Roberto de Bellis, speaks English, British
Hospital 487-1020
Dr. Pablo Muxi, speaks English, British Hospital 487-1020
DIETITIAN
Maren Torheim, speaks excellent English,
British Hospital 487-1020; Home: 710-4240
DENTISTS
Dr. Roy Cooper, speaks excellent English,
Office: José Scoseria 2887, Apt. 603, Phone: 710-8859,
Home: 709-2546
Dr. Santiago Sartori, speaks English, Office: Rivera 7493;
Phone: 601-8565, Home 601-2417
Dra. Stella Odizzio, Orthodontist, Rivera 7493, Phone: 601-6585
Dr. Haroldo Bercianos, speaks English and German, Office:
Juncal 1305, Apt. 1502, Phone: 916-1752
Dr. Mario Scarrone, Maxillo-facial surgery, Office: Chaná
1912, Phone: 408-5419
Dr. Alfredo Nappa, Orthodontist, Office: Sarmiento 2514/801,
tel: 711-7797
Dr. Horacio Abella, Periodontist and implants, Office: Juan.
B. Blanco 933/603; Tel: 709-0516
SPEECH THERAPIST (in English)
Norma "Tita" Weissman, Office:
"Cenda" Clinic, Rivera 6672; Tel: 600-3912; Home:
709-1336.
PODIATRIST
Rita Franceschini, speaks no English, makes
home visits, Phone: 0310-3362
FOR ASSISTANCE
WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS
(psychologists, family and marriage counselors),
see Dr. Stanham, Medical Unit, ext. 2189.
MEDICAL UNIT Embassy extension
2189
Dr. Jorge Stanham, Jr.
Appointments: Monday, Wednesday & Friday - 15:30 to
17:30
Appointments through the Personnel Office, ext. 2381.
