Clinics and Hospitals

Many people have a perception that hospitals are the better than clinics when it comes to health care. Most would rather rush to the emergency room for minor issues before going to a clinic, resulting in treatment at an unnecessary cost. Knowing the difference between a hospital and clinic can be very beneficial and may save you both money and time when trouble strikes! There are also many different types of clinics that cater to different needs such as family planning, family health or low cost care.

A hospital is an institution that specializes in various fields of medical and surgical treatment. There are four different types of hospitals. General, district, specialized and teaching. General Hospitals treat a variety of different ailments. District Hospitals cater for patients who suffer from long term diseases or who need to be in intensive care.  Specialized hospitals are hospitals for specific cases such as rehabilitation, trauma and hospitals for the elderly. Teaching hospitals are used primarily for nurses and medical students to aid patients for their practical studies.

A clinic, however, is an assisted institution that is run or aided by hospitals or medical schools. Outpatients are treated here and pay a significantly lower amount of money for treatment. Unlike hospitals who are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, clinics are only open for five or six hours a day. They also do not cater for overnight patients.

It is highly recommended that community members get acquainted with the clinics in their areas in order to know whether they could avoid an unnecessary trip to the hospital! To find out more about various clinics and hospitals in your area, please visit our homepage.