Health Care in Colombo

Colombo has a public and private healthcare system. The public healthcare system is called the Sri Lanka Health Service and is used by both locals and foreigners. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Colombo for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Public hospitals in Colombo are generally crowded and understaffed, but they are free or low-cost and offer quality care. Foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Sri Lanka. However, many expats prefer to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery due to the better quality of care and shorter wait times. Private hospitals in Colombo are well-equipped and offer a wide range of services.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Colombo

• Colombo South Teaching Hospital: This is a public hospital located in Kalubowila, about 10 km from Colombo. It specializes in cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics.
• Colombo National Hospital: This is a public hospital located in Colombo, about 5 km from the city center. It specializes in general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics.
• Colombo Apollo Hospital: This is a private hospital located in Colombo, about 5 km from the city center. It specializes in general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics.
• Colombo Asiri Hospital: This is a private hospital located in Colombo, about 5 km from the city center. It specializes in general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics.

Emergency Services in Colombo

There are ambulance services in Colombo. You can call for an ambulance by dialing the emergency number, 119. Ambulances usually arrive quickly, but there can be delays due to traffic or other factors.

Health Insurance Companies in Colombo

The most popular private health insurers in Colombo are Lanka Hospitals, AIA, and Union Assurance. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies, although some may opt for specialized expat health insurance providers.