Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
There’s been some confusion around whether it’s necessary to have health insurance to enter Uruguay since recent changes to travel requirements. We explain.
In 2014, Alejandro Zaffaroni, one of the inventors of the birth control pill, died. Born in Montevideo in 1923, he graduated from the University of Montevideo. As both his parents were dead, he decided to take a cargo ship to New York after receiving a Fulbright scholarship to study in the USA.
Zaffaroni was part of a Mexican team which created the Pill. He also played a similarly significant role in the development of the nicotine patch, the DNA chip and corticosteroids. According to his New York Times obituary he was one of the most influential biotech entrepreneurs ever. The Scientist called him a “biotech superstar“.
This doesn’t surprise me. Though Uruguayans complain about their education system today (show me a country where people don’t lament falling standards), free primary school education has been compulsory since 1876 (link in Spanish to the Uruguayan Education Reform of 1876).
Even today the public university (the Universidad de la República) is free.
And Uruguay is the first country in the world to completely roll out the One Laptop Per Child initiative since 2006. Every child in state-run education in both primary and secondary school has a XO laptop.
I actually attend the Montevideo clinic where mammograms were first invented. It’s in the city centre about 5 minutes drive from my house.
The clinic’s founder Raul Leborgne, a radiologist from Montevideo, devised an apparatus in 1949 that would squeeze a patient’s breast to hold it flat while an x-ray was taken. He reported his findings in a landmark publication in 1951. His insight and discovery has been used to save over 1.6 million lives.
Medical Discovery News says that “Given that almost ten percent of all women get breast cancer, you could argue the mammogram is among the most important techniques of the last century in advancing women’s health.”
More reasons to love Uruguay… especially if you are a woman.
Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
There’s been some confusion around whether it’s necessary to have health insurance to enter Uruguay since recent changes to travel requirements. We explain.
My 9-day vacation in Uruguay: Intrepid reader writes
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
Uruguay women first to get vote in Americas
The 1917 Constitution granted women the right to vote. Another Uruguay first. Though the story is of course more complicated.
Montevideo is often overshadowed by Buenos Aires. Three well-travelled bloggers tell what made them fall in love with South America’s off-the-radar capital.
What do Uruguayans think about foreigners?
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Verne – Fine dining in an aromatic herb garden
Outdoor dining at Verne, five mins from the airport, is a surprising feast for the senses and will please everyone.
Montevideo Carnival 2023 dates
Uruguay carnival is back in 2023! The world’s longest carnival returns to Montevideo. We’ve got the when and where.
Smokewood Garzón – Magical 50-acre off-the-grid vacation rental
This magical 50-acre modern off-the-grid oasis is one of the best places to stay in Uruguay.
Uruguay Festivals – Sea Goddess Day on February 2
It’s Yemanjá Day on February 2. Don’t miss this special festival of the Goddess of the Sea at Playa Ramírez in the Parque Rodó neighbourhood.
Getting around: buses, taxis and walking
Getting around like a local. Flag down the bus—or it won’t stop. Don’t tip your taxi driver—but don’t expect him to load your luggage! Essential maps.
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
The 1917 Constitution granted women the right to vote. Another Uruguay first. Though the story is of course more complicated.
Montevideo is often overshadowed by Buenos Aires. Three well-travelled bloggers tell what made them fall in love with South America’s off-the-radar capital.
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Montevideo is the capital of the friendliest country in South America. Get to know Uruguay’s version of ‘Pride’—known as the Diversity March.
…and 5th friendliest in the world, says the Spartacus International Gay Guide. Yep, homosexuality has been legal here for EIGHTY years.
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3 Responses
Here is another bit of info you might like to add. The pioneers in perinatology Roberto Caldeyro Barcia and Hermógenes Alvarez. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montevideo_units
Hi Eva. You can find all the unformation in the Roentgens Museum in Germany.
Hello. Greetings from Washington DC and Toronto, Canada. I am a radiologist nearing retirement. My speciality is in breast imaging. I am writing a research article about mammography and want to credit Dr Raul Leborgne with his insights to reduce X-ray energy and flatten the breast gently. He was the first to emphasize the importance of radiographic technique to demonstrate detail of microcalcifications. When was Dr Leborgne born? When did he die? Is there any biographical material you could share that is published in English?
I am a member of American Roentgen Ray Society but am unable to obtain archived issues of the journal AJR with Dr Leborgne’s articles. Thank you. Eva Chapin MD 202-80-2062