A question that I hear from people often is this – “how is the medical care in the Philippines?” Well, let me relate my experience.
In 2001, at just 39 years old, I had a stroke. i was living in General Santos City at the time, which is a rather small city of maybe 400,000 people or so. I didn’t realize I had suffered a stroke, I thought I had the flu, so I didn’t go to the hospital until three days later. By that time, I had to be taken by ambulance. I had all the modern tests, MRI’s and such to verify what was going on in my brain (a stroke is a brain attack, after all). All of the tests confirmed what the doctors suspected – Stroke.
When I went to the hospital, I was almost completely unconscience. I don’t even remember much of the whole thing. I spend almost a week in the Intensive Care Unit, with all kinds of equipment hooked up to me. My wife was there at my bedside (although guests were not allowed in the ICU, they made an exception for my wife, because I insisted). When I left the ICU, I was taken to a private suite in the hospital. I spent a little over 2 weeks total in the hospital. During this time, I had a number of MRI’s, blood tests, all kinds of exams and such. I had three doctors, each of them specialists – among the best in the area. I had the best of medications. I had the best of nursing care. Sounds expensive, right? Total cost was about $4,000. I couldn’t even get a night in the private suite for that price back in the states.
And, the best thing about this was not the cheap price, but it was the fact that I was getting premium care. Nothing was lacking, and nothing was spared.
Think about this – nurses and doctors are migrating from the Philippines to western countries (USA, Europe, etc) in huge numbers. So, obviously, these people are well trained, and know what they are doing. It has been my experience that good equipment is available here, and at a low price. When you have nurses who are charged to care for you, they know who you are – you aren’t just “that guy in room 246” or whatever. You get more personalized care here than you can hope for in the States, in my opinion.
So, to me, medical is not something to be worried about if you are thinking about moving here. If there is some procedure that you need that is not available here, you can always go back home for it. Of course, if it’s an emergency procedure that you need, that is a problem (going home for it). But, it is my experience that what needs to be done can be taken care of here.
Hi Bob,
Hi Bob
Glad you had a positive experience with the medical care system there. Too bad though many Pinoy doctors who have trained in the US like my parents and others, havent returned to the Philippines. Can't say I blame them, I hope though that the so called "brain drain" of medical professionals doesnt get too bad as reported in the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times
Hi Allen – glad you found this site too! 😉 You're right, the brain drain is something that must be addressed by the Philippines. Without doing something, not only medical care will suffer, but other industries too!
Howdy Bob!
It's good to hear you had a great experience with medical care in the Philippines. However, mine was appalling. I went to the Dela Salle Hospital in Dasmarinas, Cavite and the services I was given was atrocious. As for me I was involved in a minor vehicle accident so I needed xrays for my leg. The treatment I received at the ER would have been okay if not for the xray department. The young doctor in charge of me told me that he will get my xray but came back a staggering 30 minutes later but still with no xrays in his hands. I saw red and blew my top off.
The young man embarassingly confessed that the lady in charge of the xray filing was acting busy and had purposely ignore him. I had instructed my nephew who is a student nurse at that university to find out for me if this is true. He said laughed and said, "Aunty that's NOEMI EBREO she does that all the time. The only reason why she is there is because she is very close with the sisters who run the hospital."
This is alarming that patient's well-being are compromised due to this lady's idiocy and apparent closeness with administration. So after waiting for 50 minutes, the plate was finally released by Mrs. Ebreo which ironically revealed no breaks.
I made a complaint but nobody from the Dela Salle Hospital administration even responded. That's horrid service alright! It explains why that lady is still employed there.
Hi Libey – Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I suppose that bad things like that can happen anywhere in the world. I can only say that I indeed have had excellent medical care here in the Philippines.
:???:Hello! I am concerned with my balikbayan friend who is a retired US citizen. He would like to avail of the tricare insurance health care benefit in the Phillipines specifically in Cebu City. We would like to know where it is located , their telephone number of their branch office here in Cebu City. Would you mind to inform us since he needs it badly. Thank you so much for the information.
I would recommend that your friend check with the Retiree's Area Office in Cebu (I assume that he is retired military, since he has tricare). Also, perhaps he could check with the tricare office in the states for clarification. I am sorry, but I don't have the information myself.
Amazing that Noemi Ebreo is still at Lasalle Medical Center, Dasmarinas, Cavite. I had quite a kick seeing her name and find out that she is still up to her old antics. I am a medical graduate from DLSU, batch 2004. I am a Fil-Am who was very unfortunate enough to work with that lady from hell. She is manipulative, a liar, lazy and thinks her job supercedes that of doctors. She thinks highly of herself but sucks up to the nuns. She doesn't care if patients' lives are being put at risk, just as long as she gets her way. Before I graduated, I had to get a medical clearance from her. A radiological filing clerk, giving clearance for graduates! Now, where else in this whole wide friggin world have you seen that? As predicited she made herself scarce during clearance so that the importance of her would be felt. Plenty of the 2004 batch graduates had to wait for days to get cleared from her. One parent even wanted to file a lawsuit against her and the university for the hold up.
To put it tersely Ms. Anderson, you are right to complain but most probably the nuns who love Noemi Ebreo, turned a blind eye to it. Don't worry you're not alone as students, clerks, interns, residents, even consultants have had numerous complaints about her and nothing has become of them. They fall on deaf ears and shut eyes.
Hi Bob how mutch cost for private clinik (hospital) you pay for
10 days If one baby old 2 month it is sick have bronchitis
or pneymonia. Before I read in your article for phil health pay
1200 pesos for one year. This phil health only check you the doctor or go inside in hospital.
Hi Zois – Philhealth covers you if you go in the hospital. It doesn't cover doctor's office visits. I couldn't give you a quote for how much the baby's hospitalization would cost, there are just too many variables to consider.
Hi Bob you no tell me stay same the price of phili health cost 1200 pesos for one year antil now july 2007.
Hi Bob:
I have something to say that differs with you experience and I am in a very dourer mood at this time about it. At this very moment that I am writing this my father inlaw is fighting for his life in a province hospital.
He like you Bob suffered a stroke. The closest hospital is in Catinian which has such a dubious reputation due to a lack of equipment and trained personnel, people avoid it like the plague if at all possible. He has been taken to the hospital in Masbate City where even though it is the major city of the province there is still a lack of equipment and knowledge staff. The long term plan is that once he is stabilized he will be transported by ship to a Cebu City hospital in Cebu which is a full 12 hours to reach. His oldest daughter my wifes Ate is a occupational therapist in Houston TX and has intimate knowledge of the hospitals, care and staff in both places. She trained in Cebu City Hospital and has also worked in Masbate before going abroad. The bottom line that I am getting to hear that the adequate health care seems to be in areas of the country that are more developed and good health care is not universal across the country.
Listening to my wifes conversations on the phone the whole damn thing seems like total chaos. Two Jeepnees full of relatives go to the hospital with him and seem to get in the way more than they are helping. Your experience seems a world away from what I am hearing right now and we feel so damn helpless here. We can talk on the phone but there is virtually nothing that we can do. I do not know if anyone reading this has anyway of helping, I would tend to doubt it and might only be viewed by the family as medaling by kanos anyway. If any one can, his name is John Gallego and up until now has been the number one fiscal in Masbate. At the very least, if any one felt inclined a prayer for his life and a full recovery would be very much appreciated by me and I am sure the Gallego family. I would consider that a personal favor.
Thanks
Wayne A. Derby
Hi Wayne – I am sorry to hear about Father in law, it's too bad that things are not going well for him at this time. All I can say is that my situation when I had a stroke was exactly as I described. Unfortunately, the Philippines is just like the States, there are good hospitals and there are bad ones too. It sounds like he got one that is not so good. Wouldn't it be possible to transfer him right away to a better hospital? If the one where he is is lacking equipment and such,, it is not the right place for him to be. When I had a stroke I was living in General Santos City, which is not a large place, yet the hospital was well equipped. I could not have asked for more.
Wayne, I think the best thing you can do for the man is to see about getting him moved. I am virtually certain that a well equipped hospital can be found closer than 12 hours away.
Good luck to you, your wife, and her father! He will indeed be in my prayers.
Hi Zois – As far as I know the price is still P1200 per year,,, it might be a bit more, but that wouldn't be much.
Hello Bob, everyone and Wayne(at peace now 😉 ).
Wayne is very right that "adequate health care seems to be in areas of the country that are more developed and good health care is not universal across the country". It is sad,scary and frustrating but true. Indeed, one will find a good health care only in the big and more developed cities when in Philippines. In remote areas I doubt it. That is why a lot of Filipinos when in need of health care we shoot for the big cities. This is also the reason when you ask most Filipinos where is the good place to live. We often answer "in the cities or at least close to a big cities" not in a very very remote areas. It's because of the accesiblity of good facilites. Even in Tagum, if you really, really need a real good specialist you still have to go to Davao City. Although, we have good doctors back in Tagum but the facilties is nothing like the ones you can find in Davao City. About your inlaws' experienced with the jeepney Wayne that situation comes from what they call "feeling being important even in a slightest way" or just simply "genuine help to others." As you can see 2 full jeepneys, it is the feeling and thinkin of we need to help him he is an important man or that has children in US/ kano son in laws or simply because he is a very good person and helps a lot of people (specially when it comes to legalities) which will draw a lot of concern relatives and friends who wants to help. When a situation like in the jeepney happens or any similar situation that calls for telling the person frankly or bluntly. We Filipinos tend to just let it be that way or let it go because we tend or have that mentality of " does not want to hurt the feelings of the other person". Few have shed this unlikable habit but not all. Unwanted advice or just plain "Can you move, your in my way" can be percieve as an insult by others already. We can't do anything here, we can probably send cash for help but thats it. I know the feeling of frustration, just last week a 3 and half yr old nephew of mine died. He had a hole in the heart as a birth defect. I hope your father in law will surpass this stroke. Rest assured, our prayers is with your father in law.
To All:
Mahdy, thank you for your words they are most comforting and helpful.
In my search to find an air ambulance for my father inlaw I found this web site of Pacific Missionary Aviation. One of their services is emergency medical transport. Here is there web address and an article about this service.I hope no one ever has to use it but in the event that they do this information is available. http://www.pmapacific.org/ http://www.calledandsent.net/Mercy-With-Wings.htm…
Hi BOB,we know a friend who lived in cebu for 4 yrs (now back in usa)and yes he was retired military and he used tricare in chiong hua hospital.
Wayne, thank you for that very informative links. I took note of it for future reference for health reasons.
Bob, The Tri-Care information can be found on the web. I do not have the address in front of me but you can get it by googling tri-care/philippines. The Pacific office is located on Okinawa. The site lists doctors and hospitals that accept Tri-Care. I printed it once and it was 46 pages so its extensive. If the individual that asked is reading this be advised that you still need to pay up front for your care. Tri-Care standard is what is rated by retirees when out of the United States. You need to file a claim for expenses that are accepted by Tri-Care. I do know that if possible a trip to Iloilo is a good idea. Sovereign Hospital is new, modern, and best of all it was built with the intent of servicing Tri-Care users. You could safely say its Tri-Care friendly. Ron
Hi Wayne,
The air ambulance to Cebu is a good move. Glad you found that service. We will be praying for your father-in-law's speedy recovery. I'm sure this is difficult for your wife and yourself being so far away.
Hi Tina:
Thank you for your words and prayers. We greatly appreciate them!! It is truly stressful.
Hi Bob!
For an expat who has only a little pension is $4000 hospitalization cost is a very big amount. How about the Medical Insurance in the Phils Bob. How true that they are only paying limited? That only up to such amount and the excess of the expenses must be paid personally.
About a month or two ago I saw a news story on Americans flying from the USA to get expensive and complicated surgery or treatments (cancer, heart, hip replacements, etc.) at a particular hospital in Thailand. It is VERY highly regarded and even Blue Cross has decided to approve requests from American policy holders who will fly to Thailand for the care. The quality is top notch and the lower cost saves Blue Cross money. The American who had a long stay at the hospital was so impressed with the inpatient care after surgery. She had multiple attending nurses that cycled through the room often and there was no rush to shorten her stay at the hospital. This story lead me to think this would be a great option for ex-pats who need to leave the RP for the extraodinary medical proceedures that might be needed. It's a lot closer than the USA and the quality of care may even be better. All the doctors at the hospital were trained in America and the hospital administrators are American, too. They were recruited to run it!
Good Evening All:
Below I have listed several web address of different services for medical emergencies and medical coverage. The top two are for US citizens. The top one if you are a member they will transport you from any hospital in the world to any hospital in the world of your choice.
http://www.medjetassist.com/default.asp?partner=g… http://aamsairambulance.com/
In one of Bobs posts he listed a Blue cross/Blue shield I check out the prices and found them to be high. I went on line and did a bunch of research submitted request for quotes and this is the one company that returned a quote and was substantially less expensive and very extensive coverage that BC/BS. The man's name that contact me is David Hayes. He was very helpful and VERY through. I would strongly endorse him for those that are looking for medical coverage in the Philippines and all of SE Asia. I hope that all of this information is of help and comfort to anyone that may need it.
http://www.globalsurance.com.
Hi Mahdy – i would agree with you that the best health care is in the more developed parts of the country. However, I would say that is true in any country. I know it is like that in the States. Our family used to have a beach house on the Oregon coast. They had adequate medical facilities in the area for relatively minor things, but if you wanted care for something big, you needed to be airlifted to Portland.
Hi Wayne – Thanks for the tips on insurance and airlift companies. Again, good luck to your father in law.
Hi Neng and Ron – Yes, tricare is accepted. But there are two different kinds of tricare. One is regular tricare and the other is called something like "tricare plus" or similar. That one is not accepted here. Only the regular tricare. And, Ron is correct, you must pay out of pocket and get reimbursed by tricare.
Hi Luz – For any expat who cannot afford $4,000 to save his life, I strongly recommend not moving to the Philippines. $4,000 is very cheap for a life saving service. Just my opinion.
Hi Jon – The Philippine Government is talking about promoting Medical Tourism in the Philippines too. I think they really should, because there is excellent medical care here and it's cheap.
The two Tri-Cares are standard and prime. Standard is the only one that is accepted overseas.
Hi Ron – Exactly! Thanks for the clarification and the update!:razz:
I have been waiting to see what others would say. We have lived in Mindanao for over 19 years, and the medical care in major cities has improved a great deal. Most major medical technology is now available here in Cagayan de Oro, and people are in training for the newest diagnostic machines. I regard Bob's experience as a real miracle, to be honest! Most medical facilities outside major cities are not very well equiped, but there are some excellent doctors out there doing their good work, usually in their family home areas.
A person with money should be able to get the best medical help available without any problem. The best medical care available may be capable to take care of an appendectomy, gall bladder surgery, broken bones and so on, but not up to par for a myocardial infarc (serious heart attack), an blood clot in the lung, surgery for colon cancer and so on. The training and technology is several years behind, so the lastest treatment for a condition may not be what you will get. If you want wholistic medicine, with natural options, you will not get it from any doctors here. Most continuing education for doctors is done by the drug companies.
PhilHealth is paid quarterly and covers approximitly 1/3 of hospital costs. It is a good system, but expect waiting and paperwork before you can check out of the hospital.
If at all possible, avoid, at all costs, being taken to a Provential hospital, unless it is Davao medical Center. A government hospital, run by corrupt officials, staffed by government doctors and medical students, which is swamped with indigent patients, is not a good place to be. Take my word for it, we work with the poor, and that is their only option, so we have been there a lot, helping them get the best possible medical care in such places.
Personally, I have an uncomfortable feeling about medical tourism where foreign rich people come for a face lift in a modern, clean clinic, while Filipinos are dying in hospitals that have cats and dogs coming and going from the operating rooms. Corruption takes from the poor and gives to the rich. I would like to know how Thailand does in taking care of its poor. Anyway, as foreigners, there is not a lot we can do about the system, but I think we all need to be aware of it because many of the people we will know and come to love do not share our experience when they get sick.
True Bob it is not the foreigners who have to be concerned about the health care here it is the native Filipinos, a white man, or a filipina with a white man can expect to get fast and immediate service, they will even have Filipinos wait while they serve you, this is not right at all, but this is how I have seen it happen many times.
maybe its the thought that every white male, especially American, is rich, I try to tell people this is nothing but a myth only to be told that I am far too humble, they won't believe me!
I only have the Philhealth and am very satisfied with that although, knock on wood, I have had no need for it and God willing never will.
Hi AmericanLola – Very insightful comments. I trust what you have to say, because I know you to be a reasonable person – and long term resident. On the medical tourism, if it can earn money for the Philippines medical industry perhaps over time it will pull up those Provincial hospitals to a higher standard. I understand that medical tourists won't be using the Provincial hospitals, but what I mean is that by pumping money into the medical community, it might end up filtering a little more money through to other facilities that are not directly involved in the tourism aspect.
Hi Dave – I agree with your assessment of the system here. That's how it works!
Hi Bob, thanks for the compliment! I hope there might be some trickle down from medical tourism that will help the general population too. that would be a good thing!
Hi AmericanLola – Sure, it's a well deserved compliment after all! 🙂 I think that anything that brings more tourists into the RP is going to be good for the general population. Well…. except for sex tourism, but that's a given.
AmericanLola and Bob – Not only might some resources be diverted to the provincial hospitals, but medical tourism (term just doesn't seem appropriate…do they see some sights during their stay?) would provide incentives for good doctors and nurses to stay in the RP, reducing the brain drain and lack of needed quality professionals. No one will travel to the RP for medical services if all the talent is overseas.
Hi Jon – Thanks for reminding me! I had that very thought on my mind and forgot to mention it. If medical tourists come here and are injecting cash into the medical system here, Doctors and Nurses can supplement their earnings and stay here in the Philippines. That would be a real plus for all residents of the country, including us!
Good Day All:
I would like to thank all of the people that gave supportive comments and prayers for my father inlaw. Jon & Mahdy Prues, Jul, Tina, Angie, American Lola and Bob. If I have been so ignorant to leave someone out or have misspelled someones name please for give me.
An up date: I spoke to Papa last night he now can speak clearly in complete sentences, but tires easily. His muscle usage in the left side of his body is 3 over 5 in his leg and 2 over 5 with his arm. He can move his fingers and toes some. He can sit up and can walk with some help. He is was discharged from the hospital yesterday and is now focusing on rehabilitation..
Once again I would like to thank everyone for their support. It was most comforting to Jo, me and the family.
Hi Wayne – I am happy to hear that Papa is doing better! I wish him the best!
Hi Wayne,
Glad to hear! Just wondering, did you get him to Cebu (via air ambulance) or did he stay in the Masbate hospital?
Hi Tina:
The doctors did not want him moved to Cebu until after he was stabilized. Then there was no need for the air ambulance and he was move by ship. Thank you
Thanks Bob..