Living in Prague offers a wonderful opportunity to experience rich history and culture in the heart of Europe. But for many Japanese expatriates and their families, life overseas comes with a significant source of anxiety: healthcare. When you are unwell, your energy reserves are low. The thought of navigating a complex foreign medical system, trying to describe subtle symptoms in a second language, or understanding complicated diagnoses in English or Czech can be overwhelmin

It’s 2:00 AM on a Tuesday in January. Outside, the Prague streets are cold and dark. Inside, your toddler has woken up crying, burning hot to the touch with a temperature of 39.5°C. For expat parents, this is a moment of pure panic. Do you rush to a crowded public hospital emergency room? Do you wait until morning and try to navigate a Czech-language polyclinic? Winter in Prague is beautiful, but it is also synonymous with the "škola/školka" (school/kindergarten) germ cycle.

Moving to Prague is an incredible adventure. Your social media feed is full of beautiful castles, cobblestone streets, and sunsets over the Vltava river. But the reality of expat life is often far more complicated. Behind the filtered photos, many international residents struggle with intense loneliness, culture shock, high-pressure corporate jobs, and the difficulty of building a new support network from scratch. When the long, grey Prague winter sets in, these feelings can

Moving your family to a new country involves endless paperwork, but few things cause as much anxiety for parents as navigating a new healthcare system for their children. If you are raising kids in Prague, you have likely heard conflicting information about vaccinations. Is the schedule different from the UK or US? Which shots are legally mandatory for school entry? What are the Czech names for these vaccines? At Swiss Medical Services  in Prague 1 , our English-speaking pedi

It starts with the first drop in temperatures in November and often lasts until March. You hear it on the tram, in the office, and perhaps in your own home: a persistent, dry, nagging cough that just won’t go away. Expats long-term residents often jokingly call it the "Prague Cough." But for many, there is nothing funny about months of respiratory discomfort. Prague is beautiful in winter, but the combination of cold virus season and the city's geography creates a challenging

Heart disease remains the leading cause of health issues worldwide, but it is also one of the most preventable. For expats living in Prague, the combination of a high-stress corporate job, a diet change (hello, Czech beer and schnitzel!), and a lack of time can create a "perfect storm" for cardiovascular issues. Many people wait until they feel chest pain to see a doctor. At Swiss Medical Services  in Prague 1 , we advocate for proactive, preventive cardiology. We bring the p

If your child has just joined a football team, a swimming club, or an ice hockey league in Prague, you have likely been handed a form in Czech and told to get a "stamp" from a doctor. This is not just a formality. In the Czech Republic, the "Sportovní prohlídka" (Sports Medical Examination)  is a legal requirement for any child participating in organized competitions. Without this valid medical certificate, coaches are legally not allowed to let your child play. At Swiss Medi