"Big Brother" Thailand ranks 6th in world for health services - beats Spain and France

[DaRoadrunner]

Bumrungrad.... open wallet surgery. What can one expect of a hospital that is listed on the stock exchange?

 

And now we read that Govt hospitals will be charging Farang double. (Sigh). Race discrimination at hospitals ought to be illegal.

 

I have received good medical care at Ramathibodi, but more often Thai doctors lack sufficient knowledge. It is crucial to find the 'one' who knows what he is doing!

[digger70]

Fake News ????

[amdy2206]

It may be a good health service but all Thai private hospitals are only really concerned about profit. They will ALWAYS say treatment is necessary even if there are other ways to overcome the problem. I am sure there are many, many unnecessary operations carried out each year in order for the hospital to make money.

[SuperTed]

3 hours ago, Trentham said:

I have posted this in an earlier forum on medical treatment....................

 

I do not want to sound alarmist but be very careful. Ten years ago I went to Bumrungrad for a simple headache that had been around for a few days. I was sent to a neurologist who diagnosed early onset Alzheimer's and sent me for an MRI at a cost of 30,000 baht. In addition he prescribed several drugs - Stilnox, Tranxeme which is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and seizures and a number of other drugs that I cannot remember which were extremely expensive. Obviously it was not Alzheimer's because I am able to write this story. 

 

I also had laser surgery on my eyes at Bumrungrad for acute angle glaucoma about 6 years ago. Upon returning home to Australia I was told by an eye specialist that the surgeon had done the operation the easy way, into the lower hemisphere of my eyes instead of the upper and therefore I now suffer with glare very badly. I then had to attend the hospital for checks - at first weekly, then monthly for a long time and finally every 3 months. That too was very expensive 3000 baht per visit.My Australian doctor told me that was a blatant rip-off because once laser surgery is performed no more than one check-up is necessary. A second eye specialist has since told me that I have never had glaucoma at all. 

 

In addition, I once had very bad shoulder pain and went to BNH Hospital and was put onto a neck stretching machine every day for a month at several thousand baht each day. It was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in my neck. They tried to talk me into an operation on my neck costing  300,000 baht. Thank God I declined. I subsequently found out, upon another trip home that it was indeed an injured rotator cuff in my shoulder.

 

One time I was staying at Khao Luk and wanted to extend for 2 days. Air Asia would not allow me to change my ticket without a medical certificate. So, fit as a fiddle I went to the local hospital and told the doc I had a bad virus in my throat and a head cold. She examined me and told me I had acute pharyngitis. There was nothing wrong with me.

 

Also at BNH I had been treated for reflux for many months and in spite of presenting myself at the hospital at 1 or 2 AM several times with extreme pain in my abdomen nothing was ever done apart from giving me reflux pills and once, a pill to push up my rear for constipation which I did not have. In 2010 I returned home and went to my doctor for some reflux pills and he refused them and sent me for a CAT scan. It was cancer in my pancreas and I was immediately operated on and I am one of the 3% who survive that disease.

 

I can relate other less dramatic stories that have happened to me and also friends of mine in Thailand. It seems to me that medicine in Thailand is not a health service but an industry devoted to making money.

 

I do not doubt that Thailand has some good doctors but Bumrungrad in particular seems to be only interested in making money. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

 

 

 

 

Absolutely right. 

 

I am younger and healthier, thankfully, but experience of myself and friends is Thai hospitals are where you go for accidents and emergencies. After that, they provide testing services and second guess your own wiki research.

 

One trick that has worked (at local BKK Hospital branch) is to challenge the local internist to check his conclusions with the expert in Bangkok. It forces them to pay more attention. I also encourage my mates to type up all symptoms, with dates and measurements, before seeing the doctor.

[Mavideol]

author ....Sophie Ireland claims

Foreign Correspondent for CEOWORLD magazine media. Policy Advisor, writer, professional restaurant recommender, and native New Yorker. I have approximate knowledge of many things.

 

In other words, she has never visited a Thai hospital nor any health service provider in Thailand, lucky for her..... unfortunately misleading article

[maddox41]

What a joke. 

Even the private hospitals here are to say average as for public ones  its like steeping back in time 40 yrs in a worn torn country. 

Australia made the top ten aha Australian medical services are way better then thailand. Big brother probably paid this mag to  write this???  More lies from the land of smiles 

[jayboy]

Good at taking your blood pressure ,weight and height at each visit with a cute nurse,after that it is downhill

I would dispute even that.Even in the better hospitals and dental clinics the BP measuring machines are often poorly calibrated or with a wrong sized sleeve.One shouldn’t rely on those initial readings.




Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[xylophone]

8 hours ago, mok199 said:

Good at taking your blood pressure ,weight and height at each visit with a cute nurse,after that it is downhill

Don't know that I would call that service "good" because the nurse wants to take your blood pressure immediately you arrive in the waiting area and continues to talk to you whilst she's doing it, asking questions which you are supposed to answer – – none of which are of any help whatsoever if you are having your blood pressure taken.

 

Furthermore, on one particular occasion whilst I was waiting to see a skin specialist, the nurse took my blood pressure and said that it was very high and when I looked it was something like 190/100, which is totally out of the question for me.

 

Now here's the rub, nothing whatsoever was recommended in light of that very high reading, whereas I would have thought she would have wanted to refer me to another doctor or specialist with the reading that high, but no, nothing eventuated. I suggested the machine might be wrong but she said no it was okay.

 

I was still waiting a little time later and I suggested we go into the next area to use their blood pressure machine as I wasn't satisfied with this reading, and sure enough, I was at a reading of about 130/82 or thereabouts, and again I suggested that the machine might be wrong or need recalibrating, but all of this was lost on this nurse.

 

One is charged for that "service" and it is obvious it is a money making scam.
 

[faraday]

My experiences at government hospitals for my wife & I have very good.

 

Yup, there are some rubbish doctors, just the same as anywhere else.

 

My mother had a stroke a few years ago, the Paramedic thought she'd hurt her leg - she had no feeling.

 

In A&E, she was not seen by a doctor for four hours.

The doctor, realising it was a stroke, apologised to my sister, but by then the damage was done. She didn't survive. This was in the UK.

 

As for Thailand being 6th in the world, I doubt it.

 

[thailand49]

Those who live here and know the magazine this is no more than Bull <deleted>. These guys run around and stay for a few days and write up this junk.

Maybe after they left, to write this cramp of <deleted> the Thai government endorse by law it is O.K. to have duel pricing for medical services for expat and tourist! 

I last read last week, they claim to be 9th, as the world worst drivers? 

[GAZZPA]

dear me, what nonsense. True you can get good medical care in Thailand but for a price. One of the best in the world? Absolutely no chance, better then Spain and France? Please..... The authorities do seem to like latching onto any good new, no matter how credible. Just more waffle I'm afraid.

[madmitch]

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

It sickens me to read so many members here moaning about bad government hospitals here.

 I can state in my opinion Thai government hospitals maybe not the best in the world, but staff give a damn good service, many dedicated doctors and nurses, working in intolerable over crowed situations.

I am living proof of the first class service provided in a particular government hospital (Khonkaen).

Serious accident my body broken in two, shattered vertabrae, severed spinal cord, broken ribs, punctured lung, broken hip, pelvis and femur, put back together by the skill of surgeons.

Always hearing about doctors cannot speak English, well in the past 6 years i have spoken to many doctors in 2 different government hospitals, and only 1 had a poor command of English.

Thanks Colin. Obviously TV members are aware of your problems and trust your judgement, however you did state "working in intolerable over crowded situations" and this is a key point here. I've visited a few such hospitals, not for myself, but with others, and I always felt that though I may have gone into the hospital perfectly healthy, I'd come out of there with all manner of diseases!

[emptypockets]

9 hours ago, Ramdas said:

I don’t believe for a sec that what they’ve stated is entirely true, for starting the lack of english language throughout both in the Thai hospitals wether private or not plus clinics.

They can’t possibly compare to the good health service in Europe or any other civilised country for that matter, even the public service is way better in taking care of the patients although you have to wait in line for it otherwise the private sector is available if you can afford it ????

How many languages do you think the doctors and nurse should speak? Considering that 99% of the patients they see are Thai native speakers.

Do you want them to speak English just for you?

Why not insist on Burmese, after all they are the biggest expat group in the country.

How about Chinese, Russian?

How much Thai do YOU speak and understand?

Europe is neither a country, and by some reports not very civilised either.

 

My wife had a detached retina repaired by a very, very good eye surgeon BKK. She went to an eye specialist while we were in Oz for a checkup. The Oz surgeon was very impressed by the work done.

 

Your post smacks of white superiority where you simply cannot accept that the white man is no longer revered and held in awestruck esteem by the natives wherever he deigns to go.

[leeneeds]

My 3 yearly colonoscopy is done with out a waiting time attached, at the Bangkok hospital service in Korat and it has been cheaper than Bangkok, service and professionalism first class.

 

[Wake Up]

10 hours ago, madmitch said:

Here's a link to the article referred to

 

https://ceoworld.biz/2019/08/05/revealed-countries-with-the-best-health-care-systems-2019/

 

Basically a crappy online magazine which provides no basis for its findings. You can't even read the full table as the ads take up too much space! Their list from 2017 was probably written by someone else and looks totally different!

 

I wonder if the writer has ever visited a Thai public hospital?

It amazes me how guys who post first are so biased against Thailand and seem to desire and feel pleasure getting the anti Thailand like button responses. Frankly and bluntly your opinion shows you have never traveled the world for work or pleasure and seen health care in other countries. Not your fault but why comment on a subject you have limited knowledge about? 

 

I have visited Thai public hospitals and private hospitals. IMO if you are an American the health care in Thailand is available, good to great medical care and cheap cheap cheap. The Thailand I live in and the one you describe are clearly different Thailand’s. But I also can choose where in the world I want to live and can afford health care and have seen health care in many countries all over the world. If I received  health care free or cheap or readily available at my home country I might not like to pay for health care in Thailand. But for those countries that charge for health care and you have to wait months to see a doctor with a bad attitude who is a millionaire then Thailand is the best IMO. Health care quality and affordability is one of the main reasons I retired to Bangkok. 

[Steve Vincent]

Let’s talk facts if you don’t have the money then you won’t be seen I’ve seen enough Thai people turned away as they cannot afford either the medication or the operation. The smaller province hospitals are full of inexperienced doctors and nurses and the hygiene not the best. 2006 and Pattaya international almost killed me as I’m allergic to penicillin ..... wouldn’t have minded but i was wearing a band clearly stating allergic to penicillin.  another experience i Witnessed was hospital staff wheeling out a farang patient so he could use the a.t.m from the comfort of his bed ! Sorry but this story is misleading 

[sharktooth]

9 hours ago, onera1961 said:

I was hospitalized in Amsterdam and if it were in the USA, I would have sued the hospital for negligence. They demanded money on day one without a detailed itemized cost of each procedure and medicine. I had to fight with my US insurance for reimbursement. It took seven months for reimbursement and only reimbursed 50%. I was hospitalized in Bangkok Hospital and my insurance paid within 7-days for nice itemized bills for every baht charged). For each procedure they explained to me why it is needed and what happens if I don't do it or delay the procedure and no upfront demand for money. 

Sounds like you need to stop walking under ladders...

[emptypockets]

2 hours ago, TSF said:

Late last year I was diagnosed with some skin cancers on my limbs, as i already had a ticket booked and paid for to BKK, I decided to check out some docs there for quotes/opinions. Saw a skin specialist at an upmarket hospital in Korat. She prescribed a moisturizer for me to apply to my arms. I thought...Oh yeah, far out, this is BS and a week later flew back to Oz. Saw a skin specialist there and she did 5 biopsies, cut out 2 BCC, freezed off about two dozen spots/lesions on my legs and we did a course of chemo on my arms. A bit of a difference there I feel. 

Doing chemo on your arms is quite worrying. Keep a close watch on your skin mate. 14 year melanoma survivor, so far.

[toofarnorth]

9 hours ago, JamesBlond said:

A lovely nurse once held my hand while I was having stitches put in. I call that good service.

 

I had a lovely nurse holding Mr johnson while another nurse put a catheter ( no spell check ) in , I was told not to look , wish I had my camera !

[emptypockets]

1 hour ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Bumrungrad.... open wallet surgery. What can one expect of a hospital that is listed on the stock exchange?

 

And now we read that Govt hospitals will be charging Farang double. (Sigh). Race discrimination at hospitals ought to be illegal.

 

I have received good medical care at Ramathibodi, but more often Thai doctors lack sufficient knowledge. It is crucial to find the 'one' who knows what he is doing!

I believe the charges proposed are based on visa status...where 'farang' are concerned, not race as such. 

[DrTuner]

I've mostly had good experiences with private hospitals in Thailand. That's because I'll only go to a hospital if at death's door. Same as the BiB, avoid and you'll be alright, Jack.

[emptypockets]

46 minutes ago, leeneeds said:

My 3 yearly colonoscopy is done with out a waiting time attached, at the Bangkok hospital service in Korat and it has been cheaper than Bangkok, service and professionalism first class.

 

Gee...you can stick that up your <deleted>.

[johnny49r]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

"Big Brother" Thailand ranks 6th in world for health services - beats Spain and France

I had serious concerns about health care in Thailand but now I feel much better thanks to the deputy public health minister's reassuring words. I am especially happy because I know government officials never lie or misrepresent facts to protect their jobs. 

Oh and I appreciate the warning about Spain & France. From now on I will always choose a Thai doctor over those uneducated euro's...

 

[Isaanbiker]

Of course are the whining and birching members awake and do all to make the hospitals look like shi_e.

 

   I'm not even a citizen of this country but was always treated well.

Currently, I pay only 432 baht for full coverage and my SS pays for very expensive medication that's around 7,000 baht per month.

 

   My wife and son get treated for free and I truly believe that it's great that all poor people here have access to a hospital, doctors, nurses and free medicine, no matter how serious the illness is.

 

   And when I read Americans' posts who do not really have a functioning health system at all, but they mock about the quality of Thai hospitals, I'd appreciate to show some links what's really going on in Trumpland.

 

But why wasting time for something that's well known all around the world? 

 

   At least the government does take care of its own people, plenty of other countries are much worse and you might die if you don't have cash.

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

[emptypockets]

I know of two close relations (wife's uncles) who have died in the last year. Both liver cancer, both non-drinkers, both pla ra eaters in Isaan of course. Both sent home to die. Initially I was disgusted but then came to realise when there is no hope - there really is no hope. Why waste public money trying to keep people alive when there is no hope. Better to die amongst loved ones than in a three or four month coma in a hospital sending the family broke. I realise this will offend some people but I think it makes sense.

[fitzcaraldo]

my neighbour a lovely girl of 1 m88 with a deep voice and who never wear bra or underwear , told me doctor sen is the best for boobs toot lips and sex change , for 25000 € your a new girl, and i agree as she does not wear underwear once she gave me a quick view of a lovely slit

[joecoolfrog]

The World Health Authority ( WHO) ranks Thailand 47th for its health service . Nothing more need be said.

[Fred white]

10 hours ago, mok199 said:

Good at taking your blood pressure ,weight and height at each visit with a cute nurse,after that it is downhill

Yeah those cute nurses get my blood pressure up

[mok199]

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

Don't know that I would call that service

Sarcasm my friend....but, do something for that 300 bt ''nurses fee'' ,personally a little more cleavage is ok with me ...have a safe day sir

[Fred white]

23 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said:

Of course are the whining and birching members awake and do all to make the hospitals look like shi_e.

 

   I'm not even a citizen of this country but was always treated well.

Currently, I pay only 432 baht for full coverage and my SS pays for very expensive medication that's around 7,000 baht per month.

 

   My wife and son get treated for free and I truly believe that it's great that all poor people here have access to a hospital, doctors, nurses and free medicine, no matter how serious the illness is.

 

   And when I read Americans' posts who do not really have a functioning health system at all, but they mock about the quality of Thai hospitals, I'd appreciate to show some links what's really going on in Trumpland.

 

But why wasting time for something that's well known all around the world? 

 

   At least the government does take care of its own people, plenty of other countries are much worse and you might die if you don't have cash.

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

At least the hospitals in the US are clean don't have birds flying around inside don't have vendors peddling all kinds of food and other merchandise or kids running around all over the place like most public hospitals do over here