finding an english-speaking doctor in yerevan (without losing your mind)
so i landed in yerevan last month, and surprise-i got sick. like, "i-can't-tell-if-it's-food-poisoning-or-the-flu" sick. and yeah, i don't speak armenian. cue panic.
i started asking around like a lost puppy, and here's the messy truth: yerevan has some english-speaking doctors, but finding them is like hunting for good avocados in winter.
first stop: the embassy list. embassies always have a list of english-speaking doctors, but honestly, it's outdated and feels like reading a 2005 phonebook. next, i hit up expat facebook groups. gold mine. someone mentioned "arian medical center" on komitas avenue. sounded fancy. turned out to be a clean, modern clinic where the receptionist actually understood "i think i ate something bad."
costs? cheaper than back home. a consultation was around 15,000 dram (about $40), which is a steal compared to what i'd pay in the US. prescription meds were even cheaper-like, "buy-two-get-one" kind of cheap.
but here's the catch: not all doctors speak fluent english. some get by with "hello," "pain," and "medicine." so bring a translation app or a friend who speaks armenian. or just wildly gesture until they get it.
pro-tip: if you're staying longer, register at a local clinic. they're more chill about walk-ins, and the vibe is less "medical tourism" and more "neighbor's living room."
oh, and yerevan's weather? crisp autumn air right now, perfect for walking off that weird stomach bug. tbilisi and batumi are just a short flight away if you need a change of scenery-or a second opinion.
random overheard advice from a local: "don't trust the doctor who says 'no problem' too fast."
links i actually used:
- Yerevan Expats Facebook Group
- TripAdvisor: Best Clinics in Yerevan
- Reddit Yerevan Sub
- Embassy Medical List
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