Healthcare in the Philippines
I never knew how lucky people in the UK are with free healthcare, yet they still complain. Having been sheltered for many year, in the last year I and my family have used private hospitals for minor ailments and had to pay quite reasonable prices for consultations and medicines. However at the weekend Jay broke his arm falling from his bike and was admitted to Dipolog Medical Centre. This was an all new experience especially as we do not have medical insurance.
The elbow required surgery so I got a rough estimate of 25,000 PHP for the surgeon, but was not told of all the ancillary fees which ended up amounting to 70,000 PHP, all of which have to be paid before leaving hospital. This can have a dramatic effect on most peoples cash flow and even if one has local insurance you still have a portion to pay.
I would have preferred to have known the higher figure prior to admission, so as to be able to check out alternatives, as although the surgery was urgent it was not an emergency.
Yes insurance is on my to-do list and at least now I have a real case to use in order to insure my family with a company which provides the best policy to seat my needs.
The hospital experience itself was also an eye opener, having opted for a general ward ended up in a 3 bed ward with no other patients. Posted visiting times seemed to be ignored and in fact family members were there 24/7. The equipment was adequate and surgical staff knowledgeable, some questions about ancillary nursing staff.
Once I have gathered some more information on Insurance I will post it here.
Till the next time David Ogden
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