They say there is no real medicine in Montenegro—people just don’t get sick here, apparently. I wouldn’t quite agree with that.
During my several months in this former Yugoslav republic, I had to deal with medical services. And, to be honest, they turned out to be better than those I experienced in Russia. Let me explain step by step.
Gynecology in Montenegro
A couple of weeks after I arrived, I began having some women’s health issues. I needed to see a gynecologist. I was advised to go to a doctor in Budva, who was supposedly Russian-speaking. So, I took a long two-hour bus ride to visit a clinic named after a foreign man.
The clinic turned out to be a small, modest place—not fancy, but clean and tidy. I arrived early and had to wait for the doctor, who showed up exactly on time (I had made an appointment beforehand). While waiting, I chatted with a Russian-speaking Serbian woman and a Montenegrin receptionist. By the way, in Montenegro, it’s very common to see men working in service roles: cashiers, shop assistants, hospital receptionists, and waiters. Also, most doctors here are male.
The doctor turned out to be an older man who spoke only Serbian. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no uncomfortable gynecological chair involved. I was immediately placed on a couch next to the ultrasound machine. He examined me, prescribed some medicine, and asked me to come back later.
After that, I decided not to travel far and went to Hospital Meljine, located near Herceg Novi. It’s a large former military hospital with many departments—from psychology to gynecology. The buildings are bright white, surrounded by greenery, and even have a little fountain. Benches and access to the sea—it’s like a paradise!
The level of service was impressive: soft chairs, sofas, a TV in the main hall, and a pleasant smell of food. The reception desk is located there too. I explained that I needed a gynecologist, left my passport, and went to the right department.
Again, I was pleasantly surprised—everything was tidy and clean, tiled floors, modern chairs, and equipment. The staff spoke English. They did an ultrasound and told me everything was fine. My details were added to their computer system. The total cost was €30. Not cheap, but what can you do? The passport is returned after payment.
Trauma Services in Montenegro
My second experience with the healthcare system came a few weeks later. My child slammed a finger in the door, and we suspected a fracture. We had to go to the local “dom zdravlja” (health center). It’s both a hospital and a children’s clinic in one building, with different entrances.
Following the usual routine, we handed in the passport and received a referral to the doctor. There were only two people before us. However, the doctor suddenly left to attend to the children’s section. We waited about an hour.
That was the worst part. It was a hot day, and the facility had no air conditioning—just like Soviet-style clinics, where only doctor’s rooms have AC. There were kids with fevers who suffered even more in the heat.
Eventually, the doctor returned. The appointment lasted less than 10 minutes. Each doctor has a computer in their office, which shows the patient queue. She called us when it was our turn—no “quick questions” or line jumpers like in many Russian clinics.
The cost was €16, which included the X-ray the next day and a follow-up appointment.
The X-ray experience was also pleasant. The room was large and divided into smaller sections. It was quick—no waiting lines. The image was ready in three minutes. The doctor checked it and confirmed there was no fracture. I was relieved. We skipped the follow-up since the child felt perfectly fine within 30 minutes of the accident.
Laboratory Tests in Montenegro
Our most recent visit to the doctor was for a parasite test. My son was constantly scratching his nose, which raised suspicions. There’s a lab nearby called Analitika—a clean and modern facility. But they don’t do that kind of test, so they sent us to a microbiological lab just ten minutes away.
The lab was located on the ground floor of a three-story building. Very neat and modern. I explained what we needed, and they gave us a glass slide with tape and a plastic container with a small spoon attached to the lid—very convenient!
They explained how and when to collect the sample. I came back the next day with everything prepared, paid €16, and got the results in three hours. Thankfully, they were negative. The report was printed on individual sheets and packed in an envelope.
