Oulu looks after its residents. There are nearly 3,700 social and healthcare workers looking after the wellbeing of Oulu’s residents.

All residents have the right to use social and healthcare services provided by the City. Services provided by the City cost significantly less than those provided by private sector companies.

The city is divided into eight healthcare districts. Each district is responsible for the basic healthcare of the residents within the district. Each district has a health centre and all Oulu residents have a designated family doctor. In addition, there are 11 child welfare clinics and 46 school healthcare clinics.

Dental care is also divided into eight districts. There are a total of 17 dental clinics.

The City of Oulu provides services for Oulu residents from birth to old age

- Child welfare and prenatal clinics look after the health and wellbeing of mothers and small children.
- School healthcare clinics ensure the wellbeing of school-age children.
- All 35- to 60-year-old women are invited to regular check-ups every five years.
- Preventive family services support families with small children.
- Parents staying at home to look after small children can apply for parental allowance and extra Oulu allowance.
- A variety of group activities across the city for children who are cared for at home. Open daycare centres are a great place to meet other families in the area.
- All children under school age in Oulu have the right to attend daycare. As well as daycare centres, the City provides various other means of daycare, such as family daycare and group family daycare.
- Before children start school, they can attend free preschool education in daycare centres.
- The elderly have the opportunity to participate in various stimulating activities, from personal exercise to group exercise.
- The Aino helpline and memory counsellors support the elderly in their daily lives.
- Various homecare services are also available.

Special services

- The City’s social workers provide support, help and guidance in various situations and crises.
- Mental health services support residents in crises and provide psychiatric care and mental health rehabilitation.

Multicultural services

A multicultural child in multicultural daycare:
- The Syynimaa daycare centre is a multicultural daycare centre.
- English immersion is available at the Tuulikello and Lintula daycare centres.
- There are also English, Swedish and German private daycare centres in Oulu.

The international activity centre Villa Victor welcomes all immigrants and everyone interested in multicultural activities.

 Health services