being brazil's former capital, rio de janeiro is  home to several research facilities, medical centers, hospitals, and a variety of specialists servicing in a variety of fields.

public health care is made readily accessible to all brazilians and foreigners legally residing in brazil through the county's healthcare system, coined the sistema único de saúde - sus (united health system).

foreigners residing legally in the country have access to medical examinations, hospital treatments, and surgery, while short term visitors are only entitled to emergency medical care, after which they will be billed for any type of  medical service.

it is highly recommended that all visitors buy a private health insurance before traveling to rio, and research ahead of time what hospitals can offer assistance in english, or in one's native language if necessary, and ensure that the chosen health insurance covers the costs of the chosen hospital.