I am hoping to go to the Philippines in Feb/March 07 for a very long stay ,what of their health care ?

Question

the quality of their care, perscriptions, doctor availability etc

Answer 1

Excellent. Be sure to go to the best one in whichever city you are in. Most of the time these are the private and expensive ones. Quality is really good. Most hospitals have private rooms. They don't rush you like they do here in the US. They take the time to know you. There are a lot of specialists, too. Filipinos have a lot of intelligent doctors and the nurses are also really good. You just have to live in a major city like Manila, Cebu or Davao (or within driving distance). Make sure your insurance will cover out of country costs. You have to make arrangements with them. I know one whose international insurance would only cover if the patient stays with a specific hospital (which was not in the same province as their residence). Medicine is available if you have the money to buy them.

Answer 2

It's pretty good service here, although they will try to find a few extra things wrong with you sometimes, to bump up the bill, second opinions are always useful if it's serious, but they can treat everything here and it's much cheaper than the first world countries.
Prescriptions are more or less unnecessary since you can go to the chemist and get anything you want over the counter, at least, that's my experience in 14 years of living here. I more or less treat myself, since I haven't been to a doctor or dentist for 20 years or more!
It's actuallly a very healthy country with nothing much to worry about exept dengue in dirty areas and maybe a touch of malaria down south. Get the Hepatitis injections and tetanus and you should be fine.

Answer 3

They have some of the best and worst of the world, facilities are generally better, as they are anywhere else, in urban centers. At best their doctors rival the best in the West in terms of diagnosis, surgery, and treatment, but research and development hasn't been their strongest suit. Definitely more skillful hand-on doctors who treat each patient as a human being. The insurance system is nowhere close to that in the west hence doctors are not assured of steady income, hence they are on their toes when giving care to their patients. There is incentive in "keeping" their patients.

Answer 4

Assuming you are in Manila, the health care is excellent. Stick with the larger medical centers (St. Luke's, Chinese General, Cardinal Santos, etc) as they often have the top doctors.

Watch what tests, etc they want to administer and use your judgment as to how necessary it is. It is true that occasionally somewhat frivolous tests or procedures will be run because the more tests means more money. Use your best judgment.

In addition, check your health insurance at home to see if it covers you here--Blue Shield/Blue Cross is accepted at St. Luke's and they likely accept others as well.

Answer 5

Its best to ask the locals. Some hospitals are tourist traps, and work with the hotels. My daughter had her hand sucked into a pipe at the hotel swimming pool. We took her to the hospital the hotel sent us to. They hadn't even gotten the pipe off her hand yet, and were telling us they would need to operate on her hand because it was broken, and she would need to stay there for 3 days. By this time some of our local friends arrived and took us to another hospital where they got the pipe off, and found that her hand was just brusied. They had her out of there in about an hour.

Answer 6

hummmm, health care? ahm you just have to be careful of what you are going to take.. example:
water: hotel waters is safe but for more safety you better drink mineral water bottled..
food: you might get not used to our food my fiancee at first he was really curious about our food he keep on asking if it was safe, then turns out he gained weight lol.
if you are going to stay with a house just be sure the environment is safe and clean...if you are going to cook some fresh veg. just make sure it is washed properly and it is still fresh if you are going to it fresh veg. you have to cook or boil it in a minute or two for your own safety!
we have have many doctors and hospital here so do not worry. what part of the philippines are you going to stay, some cases will base on the place there are place which are overpopulated and smuggy!
note: ask your regular doctor for anti malaria just for your safety, there are some mosquitos here hanging around and hungry lol. my fiancee used to have anti-malaria medications...
remember "prevention is better than sure"
btw, if you are here for vacation feel free to ask me about some nice spots i might help.. [e-mail]

Hope i helped welcome to the philippines!

Answer 7

I have a story to relate about my stay in the Philippines. I was there in the early 70's and one of my ship mates said his wife was very ill and needed blood. He talked many of us into donating blood in the local hospital. Later we found out that he was selling the blood to the hospital that we thought we were donating.

The hospital in Manila would be your best bet for health care.

Answer 8

went on vacation for 2 week last year i got sick went to hospital.they gave me medicine it did not help so i went back to hospital to give me another medcine they gave medicine did not work.so,i just waited until i went back to state doctor here gave me the right medicine. you see the doctor first, then pay for the fee at the reception desk.my mom had astma attack she did not get treated!lucky for puff.few hospital in philippines is not good depending on which hospital you go to .some do not have high tech equipment.

Answer 9

We have hospitals here and competent medical professionals.

Answer 10

bring Dr. Phil !!