Nemes János: Healing Budapest - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)
If you are in Need of Hospital Treatment
National Institute for Physical Training and Sport Health Care Opened in 1884 with only 120 beds, the central hospital for sportsmen is not exactly young either. There is strong co-operation with the neighbouring Sports Academy. This is where its students are regularly checked. The pavilion-type hospital wards have recently expanded to 300 beds. They are leading specialist in treating sport injuries, they have, however, a ward for internal diseases and gynaecology, too. Their psychotherapeutical activity has earned them a European reputation. (Address: 1124 Budapest, xii, Alkotás u. 48. TEL: 175-3192; 175-3292) Semmelweis University of Medicine Four towns in Hungary have medical schools, the Budapest one being the largest. It was founded over two hundred years ago, in 1769. As opposed to other European university quarters, its 28 teaching hospitals and 24 various institutes are fairly scattered, mainly within the 8th district. Apart from the two large clinics and the 23 storey modern glass building which houses the medical theory departments, it has other departments in some of Budapest’s general hospitals. Thus, students have to travel quite a lot between lessons. According to international practice, medical training lasts six years. In recent years they have reduced the number of students accepted due to the recession which is hitting medical jobs as well. On average 420 students study on each faculty annually. There are many German students, as well, whose tuition is in German. Tuition fees are essentially lower than in the West. Due to recent political and economical changes mainly in Hungary, but worldwide, too, the number of foreign students has diminished substantially. The high standards of our educational system are well known; the Hungarian medical degree is respected abroad, the many internationally famous scientists working here and abroad prove this. One cannot deny the difficulties, however, that is, the lack of money and sufficient equipment, overcrowded lecture halls, underpaid lecturer staff. Prussian-style training is an “aftereffect” of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, although 32
