Monaco to Launch SOS Médecin-Style On-Call Medical Service by 2025

Monaco is poised to enhance its healthcare services by introducing a new on-call medical system akin to France's SOS Médecin by mid-2025. This system, announced during a National Council session, is designed to improve access to healthcare during nights, weekends, and public holidays. It aims to alleviate the pressure on emergency departments by providing non-urgent medical home visits, thus filling a significant gap in the current healthcare offering.

Christophe Robino, Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, confirmed that several doctors have already volunteered for this program. He emphasized that the system will cater exclusively to Monaco's residents, ensuring that minor health issues are treated efficiently without overburdening hospital resources. Despite the anticipated organizational hurdles, Robino reassured that the project is on schedule for its 2025 launch.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize healthcare in Monaco, which includes enhancing the Monaco Santé portal, launched in 2021 but yet to meet expectations. However, the principality faces challenges, particularly with cross-border interoperability and shared medical records with France. Monaco continues to seek solutions, like the potential introduction of an electronic health professional card to facilitate cross-border medical communication, underscoring its commitment to maintaining high healthcare standards for its residents.