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Approximately 14 percent of adults in Poland have come into contact with drugs, usually with marihuana or hashish (12 percent). The number of drug addicts is dropping year to year. However, the numbers of young people experimenting with cannabis are rising.

In what situations can a doctor refuse to perform a procedure that is contrary to his/her conscience? According to the regulations this can be done in any situation, unless this puts the patient’s life at risk. Can he/she refuse to participate only in the procedure itself, or also in an examination qualifying for such a procedure?

What options do you have when during a visit to a clinic or hospitalisation you are prevented access to treatment? If you find yourself in such a situation you can contact the Office of the Patients’ Rights Advocate and ask for intervention.

The question of which medical examinations we should undergo prior to starting employment, depends on the conditions in which we are about to work. The costs of such examinations will be incurred by the employer.

The annually updated vaccination calendar provides parents with information which vaccinations for children and young people in Poland are obligatory and free-of-charge, and which are recommended. The calendar also contains a list of vaccinations for adults.

Everyone who’s eligible for treatment under the National Health Fund (NFZ) can also receive a partial refund on, for instance, an orthopaedic prosthesis. The list of devices eligible for refund and the limits of financial contribution are set out by a Regulation of the Minister of Health.

Before travelling to tropical countries or countries with poor sanitary and epidemiological standards, it is recommended to consult the travel-medicine doctor who can tell us which vaccinations are the best for us. Vaccinations protect us from many contagious diseases. As it may turn out, some vaccinations are obligatory if we want to cross a country's borders.

The list of reimbursed medicines is updated every second month. The price of medicines, co-financed by the State, sold in every chemist’s shop in Poland is identical.

Reducing the incidence of cancer by early detection and the promotion of preventive behaviour—these are the principal ideas behind “The National Programme Against Cancer." The programme is intended to lower the incidence of cancer by around 10 percent.

Cutting-edge equipment and specialists in various medical fields – these are the key requirements set for trauma centres. They offer help to patients in critical condition and those with multiple organ injuries, e.g. car-accident victims.

High fever, acute abdominal pains, diarrhoea are conditions for which doctors will also see patients during the night time. To obtain the doctor’s advice you should visit a clinic offering medical care during the night and during holidays.