Finnish (Suomi) is not widely spoken outside Finland, but healthcare staff at major clinics and Hivpoint will speak English. This guide covers essential terms and phrases for navigating the Finnish healthcare system for sexual health.
The System: Key Concepts
| Finnish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kela | Social Insurance Institution | Reimburses medication and healthcare costs |
| Terveysasema | Health station / GP clinic | Your local public health centre |
| Päivystys | Emergency department | Open 24/7 at major hospitals |
| Sukupuolitautien poliklinikka | Venereal disease outpatient clinic | Specialist STI clinic |
| Infektiologipoliklinikka | Infectious disease outpatient clinic | Where PrEP is managed |
| Lääkäri | Doctor | |
| Hoitaja / sairaanhoitaja | Nurse | |
| Apteekki | Pharmacy | |
| Ajanvaraus | Appointment booking | |
| Lähete | Referral | From GP to specialist |
| Kanta | National patient data system | omakanta.fi for access |
| Maisa | Helsinki health appointment portal | asiointi.maisa.fi |
Sexual Health Terms
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| HIV-testi | HIV test |
| Sukupuolitautitesti | STI test |
| Veri / verinäyte | Blood / blood sample |
| Nieluviljelynäyte | Throat swab |
| Peräsuolinäyte | Rectal swab |
| Virtsaputkinäyte / virtsanäyte | Urethral swab / urine sample |
| Tippuri | Gonorrhoea |
| Klamydia | Chlamydia |
| Kuppa / Syfilis | Syphilis |
| Hepatiitti | Hepatitis |
| Kondomi | Condom |
| PrEP (ennaltaehkäisevä lääkitys) | PrEP |
| PEP (altistuksen jälkeinen lääkitys) | PEP |
| Rokotus | Vaccination |
| Tutkimustulos | Test result |
Useful Phrases
Booking an appointment:
"Haluaisin varata ajan sukupuolitautien poliklinikalle." "I would like to book an appointment at the venereal disease clinic."
Requesting three-site STI testing:
"Haluan testata sukupuolitautien varalta — nielu-, peräsuoli- ja virtsaputkinäyte." "I want to test for STIs — throat, rectal, and urethral swabs."
Asking about PrEP:
"Haluaisin aloittaa PrEP-lääkityksen. Tarvitsen lähetteen." "I would like to start PrEP medication. I need a referral."
Asking about anonymous testing:
"Voinko testata anonyymisti?" "Can I test anonymously?"
At the emergency department for PEP:
"Minulla oli mahdollinen HIV-altistus ja tarvitsen PEP-lääkitystä. Se tapahtui [X] tuntia sitten." "I had a possible HIV exposure and need PEP medication. It happened [X] hours ago."
Asking about risk-group vaccines:
"Olen homo tai biseksuaali ja minulla on useita seksikumppaneita. Onko minulla oikeus ilmaisiin rokotteisiin?" "I'm gay or bisexual with multiple sexual partners. Am I entitled to free vaccines?"
Digital Health Systems
Kanta — Finland's national patient data system. All your health records, prescriptions, and test results are here. Access at omakanta.fi with online banking credentials.
Maisa — The Helsinki and HUS appointment portal. Book sukupuolitautien poliklinikka appointments at asiointi.maisa.fi.
OmaKanta mobile app — Available on iOS and Android for easy access to records and e-prescriptions.
Emergency Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency (all) | 112 |
| Medical helpline (PEP routing) | 116 117 (free, 24/7) |
| Mental health crisis line | 09 2525 0111 (Mieli ry) |
| Hivpoint Helsinki | hivpoint.fi |
| Sukupuolitautien poliklinikka | 09 4711 (HUS) |