Organization of Health Services

In the Nordic countries, the health care sector is mainly a public matter.
All the countries have well-established systems of primary health care. In addition
to general medical practitioner services, preventive services have been established
for mothers and infants, as well as school health care and dental care for children
and young people. Preventive occupational health services and general measures for
the protection of the environment have also been established in all the countries.
The countries generally have well-developed hospital sectors with highly advanced
specialist treatment.
Specialist medical treatment is also offered outside hospitals.
The health services are provided in accordance with legislation, and they are
largely financed by public spending or through statutory health insurance schemes.
Some patient charges are, however, payable for pharmaceutical products and to
some extent also for treatment.
Salary or cash allowances are payable to employees during illness. Self-employed
people have the possibility of insuring themselves against illness.