Chong Hua cost and my visit

[Queenie O.]

A few years ago, when we were still living in the US, our teenage niece up in Toledo City Cebu, was involved in an accident while riding a habalhabal motorcycle. She suffered a serious head, injury so we told our family members living there, to send her down by ambulance to the private Cebu Doctors' Hospital. I called the hospital ahead and told them that we would cover everything long distance by credit card.  Upon arrival they sent her over to the public hospital, and a well known surgeon went over from Cebu Doctors' Hospital and operated to remove a large blood clot, and sew her up. He charged only a small amount because he said that he was obliged to provide a certain amount of his services to poorer patients that needed it. I spoke with him  long distance personally a couple of times while she was in the ICU recovering, along with other nursing staff. She recovered completely and is doing well. Sometimes good things like this happen, even though a foreigner is involved.

Edited October 21, 2016 by Queenie O.

[Nephi]

55 minutes ago, Queenie O. said:

The situation in Cebu as far as self medicating has gone for infections in the past--a person can no longer go in and purchase any antibiotic without a prescription at any pharmacy. I suspect it's the same in other areas? Maybe they are now conscious of the overuse or misuse of antibiotics around the world. I noticed that the government has lowered the price of some common antibiotics though, like Zithromax to 150 pesos per dosage pack. That's about half of the going rate for a  500mg. 3-pack dosage box. I noticed that some local barangay stores  in town were selling individual penicillin capsules without a pharmacist around though. I guess that's maybe for if you had a sick pig...

Yep, same on the meds up our way close to Angeles City. I went in today to buy Zirhtromax 3 pack 500mg. They gave me an arguement and said no. I told them it's a continuation med and my Dr. that is in Singapore for 7 days (truth). I have been doing business with them for many years and told them I'd take all my business elsewhere in town if no sale. They sold me the much needed med without a thank you!

Edited October 21, 2016 by Nephi

[sonjack2847]

1 hour ago, Queenie O. said:

The situation in Cebu as far as self medicating has gone for infections in the past--a person can no longer go in and purchase any antibiotic without a prescription at any pharmacy. I suspect it's the same in other areas? Maybe they are now conscious of the overuse or misuse of antibiotics around the world. I noticed that the government has lowered the price of some common antibiotics though, like Zithromax to 150 pesos per dosage pack. That's about half of the going rate for a  500mg. 3-pack dosage box. I noticed that some local barangay stores  in town were selling individual penicillin capsules without a pharmacist around though. I guess that's maybe for if you had a sick pig...

I can buy Amoxicllin without a prescription but they are dearer.I still have my prescription for them from the dentist a few months ago. The singular capsuals are sold for the animals around here. I don`t do meds very often and anti- biotics hardly ever.

[AlwaysRt]

19 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

P800 for our visit. Seems the doc makes up the price however he wants so yes I pay and we go to the pharmacy, drops and antibacterial tablets just under a P1000 and yes l pay.

Last time I made a hospital trip was to see a Doctor about a liver problem, it was p600. He prescribed 2 meds. I took the prescription past the pharmacy and down the street to a local pharmacy. Was quoted p1,650 for both but turns out only 1 in stock. Not feeling well I went back to the hospital pharmacy, p1,875 for just the one med I needed. Whenever possible get away from the hospital pharmacy as they seem to be higher on everything.

[Dave Hounddriver]

16 hours ago, Queenie O. said:

He charged only a small amount because he said that he was obliged to provide a certain amount of his services to poorer patients that needed it.

Although I have heard of doctors doing free visits at times, this is the first I have ever seen or heard of a doctor having an obligation to provide any service to poor people.  I understand they will allow poor people to go the hospital but I have seen doctors walk by dying children in the hospital corridors and do nothing.  They died in the hospital with no doctor looking at them.  I wonder where your doctors sense of obligation came from.

[Queenie O.]

2 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

Although I have heard of doctors doing free visits at times, this is the first I have ever seen or heard of a doctor having an obligation to provide any service to poor people.  I understand they will allow poor people to go the hospital but I have seen doctors walk by dying children in the hospital corridors and do nothing.  They died in the hospital with no doctor looking at them.  I wonder where your doctors sense of obligation came from.

Well I can't speak for any other doctors here, Dave. I likened it to lawyers doing "on a "pro bono publico basis", or for the public good. Maybe some private hospital specialist doctors have a quota of patients to treat at the public Vicente Sotto Hospital per year, but I wouldn't know.

This news from Vicente Sotto Hospital will be a help.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/09/11/vsmmc-starts-distributing-free-medicines-patients-sets-pharmacy-near-er

Edited October 21, 2016 by Queenie O.

[OnMyWay]

4 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

Although I have heard of doctors doing free visits at times, this is the first I have ever seen or heard of a doctor having an obligation to provide any service to poor people.  I understand they will allow poor people to go the hospital but I have seen doctors walk by dying children in the hospital corridors and do nothing.  They died in the hospital with no doctor looking at them.  I wonder where your doctors sense of obligation came from.

Although I am not describing an exact hospital situation, some doctors have a heart Dave.

I know I probably pay our pediatrician more that locals pay, if they are poor.  However, an office visit is p400 for me (he used to charge us p300 2 years ago), less than $10, and he checks both kids if the appointment is only for 1 kid.

He is an excellent pediatrician who works really hard.  He is a neonatology specialist (pre-mies and sick babies) and I am sure he gives away a lot of services to his poor patients.  We have met some of them.  He shares his office with a pediatric cardiologist, who also appears to generous with her services.

Our kids love him and we can text him day and night, and get an answer.  I don't mind subsidizing the poor who he cares for at reduced prices or no cost.

 

[chris49]

On 20/10/2016 at 10:59 PM, Jollygoodfellow said:

Today I was with my Filipina friend and she had a bad ear ache causing problems right through to her jaw so I thought something had to be done about that so convinced her to go to the Chong Hua with me which is not far away.

We get there and find it's a confusing place and very busy, she asks someone behind the desk but had trouble hearing him so told him to tell me.

Took a bit to understand what he was telling me but yes a shuttle outside takes you down the road to some other place with doctors. So we get in, bit like a jeepney and 3 peso each. Of course I bump my head getting in but after a bumpy ride we arrive and go inside.

I recall the guy said room 405 but where the hell is that so I Figured about 4th floor and spot on but there is 405a and many others. People are in the corridor and trying to figure out what to do was puzzling but reading the doors like gynecologist or pediatrician I new was not for us so my friend asked someone and we go into a room full of people.

She fills out some form and we wait about 2 hours for our turn and go in to see the doc.

He seemed quite knowledgeable and used a machine to suck out the ear and wrote a script and then on this tiny piece a paper the bill.

P800 for our visit. Seems the doc makes up the price however he wants so yes I pay and we go to the pharmacy, drops and antibacterial tablets just under a P1000 and yes l pay.

Anyway hopefully she will be fine soon but my point of posting this is how do the average people manage to pay these sort of costs ?

The Dr. sets his own fee. You got stung.

An ear infection with pain radiating to the jaw is quite serious. In some cases it might require IV Meds. So I think 1000 for branded meds is reasonable. You could have asked the Pharmacy for the generic equivalent but playing it safe was good. Hopefully pain meds were included.

Your companion being a Filipina could have gone to a government hospital for free. But cleaning out the ear with suction would probably not be included.

You did ok considering the severity of her condition. Next time if she goes in alone the fee will probably be less.

[Jollygoodfellow]

On 10/23/2016 at 7:19 AM, chris49 said:

You did ok considering the severity of her condition. Next time if she goes in alone the fee will probably be less.

Possibly but I did watch as each patient came out and the fee appeared to be different for each with some higher than what I paid. I guess it depends on what the doc does and how long one is in his office.

[JJReyes]

On 10/21/2016 at 4:08 PM, Queenie O. said:

Well I can't speak for any other doctors here, Dave. I likened it to lawyers doing "on a "pro bono publico basis", or for the public good. Maybe some private hospital specialist doctors have a quota of patients to treat at the public Vicente Sotto Hospital per year, but I wouldn't know.

It may also depend on the medical school. The University of the Philippines is heavily subsidized by the national government. There are obligations for medical graduates including public service. The graduates are not permitted to apply for overseas work for a number of years except for training programs.