How bad are the hospitals really

[seajae]

Wifes mum has severe cancer and is in hospital, she cant poo or pee by herself and her kidneys have shut down now as well,  they want us to take her home to take care of her and bring her back for appointments which take around 6 hours to get to see the doctor as necessary. They say she doesnt have long to live but are reducing her to be in severe pain etc at home where no one can do anything for her, this has to be the most pathetic medical care I have ever heard of, even in the hospitals the nurses do nothing for the patient and family has to do everything, feed, give drinks, tell the doctor whats wrong, change colostomy bags & nappies etc and sleep on the floor of a night as well, Thailand really is a third world country that cant even take care of their people properly, nurses are there purely for show and doctors are useless, never been so angry at a hospital, this is pathetic

[worgeordie]

While I have never actually been a patient in the hospital , I have had plenty of

Out Patient treatment  in Government Hospitals and it has been excellent,

 

One morning I woke up to find I was paralysed from the chest down , I had

stepped off a high curb in the market while carrying a sack of potatoes in

one hand and bag of onions in the other, I heard and felt a pop in my back,

but thought nothing more about it,

 

Went to OP every day for 4 months , cost B174 per day ,for different kinds

of treatments ,till I could move on crutches ,then walking stick , and after

that could walk again , but the left leg not 100 % , so I have only good things

to say about the Thai health system , 

 

Regards Worgeordie

[Lorry]

This is end-life-care in Thailand,  for the vast majority of Thais (and poor foreigners).

[digbeth]

if you want the nurses to feed and bathe the patient, go for private hospital

the public hospital nurses and doctor are already overworked and underpaid

Thai family are expected to help, If you don't want relatives to sleep on the floors or are in corridor you can pay to upgrade to special rooms at most government hospitals

for the price of nearly free, I don't see what there is to complain about, 

sure the wait is slow and nurses can be short tempered but seeing the conditions and workload they're working in it's understandable

 

For the odd case of elderly living alone with no family support, that might be a bit of a problem

 

[KhunLA]

45 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

While I have never actually been a patient in the hospital , I have had plenty of

Out Patient treatment  in Government Hospitals and it has been excellent,

 

One morning I woke up to find I was paralysed from the chest down , I had

stepped off a high curb in the market while carrying a sack of potatoes in

one hand and bag of onions in the other, I heard and felt a pop in my back,

but thought nothing more about it,

 

Went to OP every day for 4 months , cost B174 per day ,for different kinds

of treatments ,till I could move on crutches ,then walking stick , and after

that could walk again , but the left leg not 100 % , so I have only good things

to say about the Thai health system , 

 

Regards Worgeordie

No complaints here either.  They probably saved my life last October, and or prolonged it in a much better state, than without their 'intervention'.   Yearly health checks inexpensive & accessible, unlike in the west.

 

For locals, their universal healthcare works quite well, BUT, you do need to use it.  Check ups will catch & prevent little things becoming big things.   Know your body and take care of it.  Don't wait till it malfunctions. 

 

People seem to take better of their vehicles, with regular check ups & maintenance.  Mind boggling.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, seajae said:

Wifes mum has severe cancer and is in hospital, she cant poo or pee by herself and her kidneys have shut down now as well,  they want us to take her home to take care of her

In case you missed it: She is dying. And nothing will change that. I am pretty sure most people prefer to die at home with their family and don't want to die alone with professional support. 

If you want better service, then pay for it!

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, seajae said:

nurses are there purely for show and doctors are useless

Nonsense.

[nightfox]

Why complain as like anything in life you get what you pay for and when it comes to government hospitals where it's free due to the Thai 30 bht medical plan it's the way it is. 

[Scouse123]

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

No complaints here either.  They probably saved my life last October, and or prolonged it in a much better state, than without their 'intervention'.   Yearly health checks inexpensive & accessible, unlike in the west.

 

For locals, their universal healthcare works quite well, BUT, you do need to use it.  Check ups will catch & prevent little things becoming big things.   Know your body and take care of it.  Don't wait till it malfunctions. 

 

People seem to take better of their vehicles, with regular check ups & maintenance.  Mind boggling.

Well said.

[Scouse123]

The OP has made sweeping statements regards the whole of the medical professionals in Thailand.

 

I am privately insured in Thailand,  however, I use the local government hospital very near my home for non emergency procedures. 

 

I have had short tempered staff but a lot of times they are dealing ( in Isaarn) with people who are just totally uneducated and have no ability to understand. 

 

The doctors and nurses are " warriors " fighting for those who have no money and providing the best care with very limited resources.

 

They are very poorly paid and could earn far more in the private sector in Bangkok etc

 

Once a year, they ask for donations to assist the hospital and I willingly chip in.

 

They do their best under pressure. 

 

No complaints from me!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 14, 2023 by Scouse123

[Enoon]

 

Yep, that sounds pretty much like what happens nigh on every week in the village that I stay in.

 

That's Thailand.

 

Have you not noticed before?

 

 

Edited June 14, 2023 by Enoon

[Ralf001]

Spent 3 months in hospital this year.

Cannot fault the service received, nurses went above and beyond IMHO.

Initially changing nappy every time I had a movement (confined to ICU bed on a ventilator) then to changing colostomy bag when I had a large intestine bypass.

When I finally made it to general ward I did have to pay extra for additional rehabilitation visits (Bt.1000 per session)... my choice as I was not allowed to leave until I could walk.

Rehab 3 times a day got me outta there in 2 weeks albeit using a walking frame.

[swm59nj]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation.

Unfortunately that appears the way government hospitals function in those  circumstances.  
You might contact this government hospital.  They might be able to help or advise 

https://chulalongkornhospital.go.th/kcmh/en/dept/cheewabhibaln-palliative-care-center/

[NORDO]

Good friend of mine hooked up with a Thai nurse years ago.   She worked at Bum for 13 years before going tp USA on an Ed visa.   She recently completed her two year degree in Nursing and is now enrolled in a 4 year program.

 

The comments of comparison from her are very entertaining.  But the most significant advancement in her opinion is the med staff working as a team and not being isolated as a Nurse.

 

She is also shocked a medical fees and doctor salaries in Yankland.

[Lacessit]

Palliative care for terminal patients seems to be limited to paracetamol and tramadol. Medications such as oxycodone and ketamine are either illegal, or not available. The irony is, kratom is legal. I doubt hospital pharmacies stock it.

In my dealings with several large private hospitals, I have noticed pathology services are quite slow. Urine cytology which takes a couple of days in Australia takes 2-3 weeks in Thailand.

I am currently in Australia, on a course of targeted inhibitor medication. The drug is simply unavailable in Thailand. If it was, I am informed it would cost USD 7000 per month. Through the PBS in Australia, I pay AUD 7.30

To sum up, I go to hospitals in Thailand for initial diagnosis and treatment of low-level ailments, also vaccinations. For more serious stuff, I get on a plane to Australia.

[Tropposurfer]

I went in recently for a hang-nail, died, and now I'm lying in a unfashionable plastic bag in a cold dark isolated room. Be careful! 

[ezzra]

With 70+ millions population who pays peanuts for admission, procedures, medicines and health care in general, Thailand hospitals are not bad at all considering the above, you want a better care? go private.

[jcmj]

I am privately insured and have been in the hospital on several occasions and have had the best service I could ask for. Yes it’s a private hospital, but you get what you pay for. I also have been able to get OxyContin for the last few years so it is here and available. It’s not cheap but if you need it you can get it. I found the hospital service in America horrible and so expensive that I wait until I’m here to see the doctor. I have always been treated with the utmost care. I guess it is different for the public hospitals by the sounds of it so take her to a private hospital and get her the pain medication she needs and treatment she deserves at the end of her life. 

[ChipButty]

If you think Thailand hospitals are bad you should try the ones in India, 

[KhunLA]

Considering TH is very 3rd world country ... IMHO

 

They are way down the list with Physicians per capita, so do a fine job with what they have. If living outside a metro area, you may struggle to find good emergency/trauma care.

 

I had to be transported 100kms, for what I would consider a basic, low tech/low risk, life saving/prolonging procedure.   If you know you have health issues, live in a metro area.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_number_of_physicians

[Expat68]

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Nonsense.

Many doctors have their own private practice also. No complaints from me

[ThaiFelix]

I had cancer of the bladder, twice removed, 3 monthly bladder scope tests for last 2 years.  Also severe back problems, spent 2 days in hospital on morphine after collapsing in bathroom.  All at local government hospitals. 

 

I take my hat off to the doctors and nurses at government hospitals for their excellent service.   

 

The price?  Not an issue compared to the 5 star hospitals where your bill includes the cost to repaint and recarpet your room plus every cotton bud, tissue and breath of air you took while on the premises.

[alanrchase]

I went to Siriraj government hospital a few months ago to see a specialist for diagnosis. I was examined and admitted that day for a minor operation. I was in a 4 bed air conditioned room with one other patient. Nurses came round regularly and food was provided. I had to pay the estimated cost before admission and was refunded money when the final bill was calculated for my discharge the following day. Great service.

[GreasyFingers]

12 hours ago, seajae said:

Wifes mum has severe cancer and is in hospital, she cant poo or pee by herself and her kidneys have shut down now as well,  they want us to take her home to take care of her

Very sad situation for you and family but this is exactly the same as my late wife in Australia. She had cancer, had all known treatments but the doctors decided that they could do no more so sent her home to die. Hard to take at the time but probably the best way, being home with family and friends.

[glegolo18]

11 hours ago, worgeordie said:

While I have never actually been a patient in the hospital , I have had plenty of

Out Patient treatment  in Government Hospitals and it has been excellent,

 

One morning I woke up to find I was paralysed from the chest down , I had

stepped off a high curb in the market while carrying a sack of potatoes in

one hand and bag of onions in the other, I heard and felt a pop in my back,

but thought nothing more about it,

 

Went to OP every day for 4 months , cost B174 per day ,for different kinds

of treatments ,till I could move on crutches ,then walking stick , and after

that could walk again , but the left leg not 100 % , so I have only good things

to say about the Thai health system , 

 

Regards Worgeordie

Yes in your case, but in this cancer case and ALL cancer-cases here in Thailand it is alarmingly bad, really bad. Just as OP said.... People are being sent hoem to die home.. Discusting...

[ChipButty]

12 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Very sad situation for you and family but this is exactly the same as my late wife in Australia. She had cancer, had all known treatments but the doctors decided that they could do no more so sent her home to die. Hard to take at the time but probably the best way, being home with family and friends.

They do that in England send them home to die they can get home help from the social services, 

[mikecha]

i Travel and work   much in other countries 

had trouble in New zealand  crap service expensive left for 2 days on a examining trolly 2 days 

couldent diagnose  Back to Thailand they found the ecoly food bacteria was going wild in my system fixed in no time 

united kingdom waited 6 Hours to get 4 stiches in a bad cut hand 

 

india  realy no comment Bad Bad/  Russia  helpfull but  no medical kit drugs bandages 

 ect ect 

Here in Thailand my partner works in the hospital overloaded with work  starts at 6 gets back at 5 maybe 200 people arriving  everyone has a limit  In europe the medical system is also stretched 

and you have to wait maybe 6 weeks to get appointment  

 

 

a tip   most doctors that work in hospitals normaly have a private evening clinic  use that it need to be paid but isnt that all here 

 

was at Utradit private hospitall not a great difference in the service from them or goverment  just the waiting time but tats everywhere u have to wait and wait and wait thats life 

i think it is thai tradition to look after the sick at home especialy with the last stage of cancer 

we also look after her mother  she is also terminated 

but no one complains 

 

i say good luck to u hopefully  it ends good  

 

i dont know where you are from maybe u can compare your medical treatment in your country and Thailand     and waiting times appointment times  

Realy here is not to bad  

 

 

 

 

[Gaccha]

8 minutes ago, glegolo18 said:

People are being sent hoem to die home.. Discusting...

This is an issue of control norms and not an issue of deprivation or cruelty or incompetence.

 

Please see the substantive comment by Nurse Sheryl ( @Sheryl) in another recent topic on palliative care in a forum post by a member who is about to die.

[AlfonsV]

From my experiences in governmental or private hospitals, at least in the bigger cities, the doctors and nurses do their very best. The health system is much better than in the real third world. However, in very special issues, treatments and surgeries, knowledge, equipment and medicine yet didn't reach the level of more specialized hospitals/clinics in more advanced countries (Japan or Switzerland for instance). Some people travel to Thailand to get a better treatment but some Thai people travel to Japan for difficult surgeries if they may afford.

 

[Northstar1]

I have seen first hand the exact same thing with a former girlfriends grandma.

her grandma sent home to die after her mother took care of her at the hospital. I watched her lying on the floor in agony as the family tried to help her.

thai or falang, it doesn’t matter in Thailand, money is number one, don’t ever forget it!

healthcare can be good, if you have money! IF!