• Last year, this department assisted patients from 45 different nationalities, with the highest numbers coming from the USA, Mexico, Uruguay, Canada, Germany, and South Korea.
• The most common conditions treated by the International Patient Service include respiratory and urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, and trauma-related ailments.
The International Patient Service at HM San Francisco and HM Regla treated 713 people in 2024, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous year, solidifying its position as a leading provider of private medical care for foreigners in the province of León. Of these patients, 248 were pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.
Last year, this department treated patients from 45 different nationalities, with the highest numbers coming from the USA, Mexico, Uruguay, Canada, Germany, and South Korea.
Dr. Jesús Saz, Medical Director of HM Hospitales in León, states: “Our International Patient Service has specialised staff who speak multiple languages, ensuring that both administrative and medical care are delivered effectively, as it avoids the problems that can arise when patients do not speak Spanish.”
The profile of foreign patients seeking medical care at HM San Francisco or HM Regla is highly varied, including university students, tourists, and professionals from various disciplines who are in León for work-related reasons.
Olivia Montardit, Head of the International Patient Service, highlights: “In León, a key city for pilgrims and one of the most important stops before reaching Santiago de Compostela, having a department like ours in the hospital is essential. With the growing number of international pilgrims walking the Camino, as well as the annual arrival of over 300 international students to the University of León, ensuring accessible and language-barrier-free care has become a necessity.”
The most common conditions treated by the International Patient Service include respiratory and urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, and trauma-related ailments, the latter being particularly common among pilgrims.
