Bangkok Hospital Koh Samui

[delgarcon]

I know that there's much been said about this hospital and I would like to relate my experiences of last week. First of all I had been wrongly diagnosed with conjunctivitis at the emergency centre at the traffic lights in Thong Sala here in Koh Phangan (I went there as I was in agony with a head and eye ache on the left side and nurofen had no effect) They gave me some other pain killers and antibiotics and suggested I go to Bangkok Hospital in Bantai if I was no better. I did so that evening as I was still in pain. They told me that the pain killers were not strong enough (tell me something I didn't know) and also changed the antibiotics and suggested I went to see the opthamologist at B.H. hospital Koh Samui, which I did 3 days layer as I couldn't see out of my left eye.

During an extensive examination of both eyes, which took the best part of 2 hours, the young Doctor told me to forget about conjunctivitis, he was pretty sure that I had the much more serious condition of Uveitis and that it had to be treated aggressively with anti inflammatories and steroids etc and that in his opinion I should go to Bangkok, where they had more equipment and I might add, more experienced doctors. To his credit, he spent a lot of time with me and asked me to go back at 6pm when he would have results of a blood test that I was given (and as he told me later, have time to speak to his "professor")

I was given a total bill for the consultation, blood test and medication of a little under 6000 baht, compared to the 3000 baht that I had wasted with the charlatans of Koh Phangan. The doctor asked me to go back 2 days later to see how I was progressing and also to have a CT scan to check for tumors. Happily no tumor and my eye pressure was down to a more normal 16 from 24. Unfortunately I still can't see more than a blur out of my left eye and I have an appointment in Bangkok on Wednesday. I'll keep you posted. Anyway, cost for the Saturday consultation and CT scan, around 8500 baht.

So the lessons to be learned, which is why I'm telling you this story, are as follows:

1) Don't waste your time with the THAI INTER MEDICAL Clinic in Thong Sala, unless you have a heart attack or stroke on their doorstep!

2) The Bangkok hospital in Bantai have very limited equipment, but I would guess they can patch you up if you fall off of your bike etc. If you need a specialist, they will probably tell you to go to Samui, as they did me.

3) COST, which seems to be an issue in Samui. When I arrived at the hospital reception, there was a guy quite rightly (from what he claims) kicking up a fuss because having gone there and had a blood pressure test and his heart listened to by a doc with a stethoscope, he was kept in overnight only to be given the all clear in the morning and a bill for 50000 baht, in stark contrast to my experience. Having witnessed this, however, I asked the price of my blood test and scan beforehand. Which is the best advice I can give you. ASK HOW MUCH IT WILL COST (if you're conscious of course. If you're not, don't ask when you wake up iy may kill you)

4} Try to ascertain the quality and experience of the specialist you choose, probably the most difficult and most important choice you have to make.

Anyway, good health to all of you and just remember, too much of it may make you go blind!

Cheers

Del

Edited April 21, 2013 by delgarcon

[Sheryl]

Your problem in both the first two instances was that the facility did not have an opthalmologist.

Whenever any sort of specialty care is required it will be necessary to leave the island.

[delgarcon]

Yes very good Sheryl, Thank you for stating the obvious, I think I'd worked that out.

The object of my post was to try and help a few people, not to look for more unqualified opinions.