VENEZUELA PROVIDES FREE TREATMENT TO VISITORS FROM ITS WIDE NETWORK OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS. SOME SERVICES WILL CARRY A SMALL CHARGE. THE BEST-EQUIPPED HOSPITALS ARE IN THE STATE CAPITALS. EMERGENCY TREATMENT IS FREE AND WELL CATERED FOR; MOST HOSPITALS HAVE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS. SOME PRIVATE HOSPITALS HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH FOREIGN EMBASSIES TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE. HEALTH INSURANCE IS NOT MANDATORY BUT IT IS RECOMMENDED.