Good Experience At Hospital

[brianmarinus]

I got a minor stroke in the brain yesterday and was send to the thai hospital- it was change- ok bed and nice new table next to the bed early in the morning they came and clean everything and every one wastold to change clothes at least once a day-and I really had a feeling that they knew what they where doing and did it in a profesional manner-and alot of the staff where talking english it all made it a good experience which I wanted to share here whit you

[RichCor]

Hope you're doing better.

I'm Pro and Con on Thai hospitals.

On one hand I have experienced EXCELLENT outpatient care by them, but my needs so far have been minor.

I certainly like the pricing structure on a few days stay a lot more ...even if the pharmacy overcharges.

On the other, I've seen some poor judgement with patient care procedures. I can only guess that ability to pay plays a role in how well they examine and care for you.

Oh, and the 100s of people in the waiting area isn't much fun.

[Gonsalviz]

I've no complaints about any Thai Hospitals. There were international style. Phuket, Loei, Udon, and KK.

2 hernias, appendix, Kidney problem, and a blood platelet thing. Udon Thani government hospital is at best an animal clinic.

[ksamuiguy]

I have a lot of respect for the overworked and under paid Government Hospital Workers here in Thailand.

Given the pay and hours worked at the Government Hospitals Nurses and Doctors, they do a dam good job.

I have used them for over 40 yeras, never paid a baht, except for a private room. I pay my social insurance every month, show my Thai S.S. card and never have a problem. But yes you have to have patience and be aware of your condition, question diagnosises and request a secone opinion if you think it is necessary. Just like you would in any other hospital or clinic.

When you go to a Government Hospital it seem like chaos, and it is. In most casesThe locals don't know what to do either. It is organized chaos, but it eventually works and your name/number is called. you see the Doctor (5-7) minutes, begin the next process, of getting the results, meds and you are on your way. Takes time and a lot of patienc, but all works out in the end. Great insite into Thainess at it's best and not so good at times.

NOTE: Obviously you don't go there for Heart Surgery, use common sence. That said it is avaliable at Government Hospitals if necessary, but not here on Samui.

A friend had a burst appendix, took him to Natorn Hospital at 9 pm. Operated on within 30 minutes of admission, back in ward in 4 hours, administered IV antibiotics, checked on a lot by nurses. In hospital 4 days (due to complications of burst apendix). The bill was 23,760 Baht.

I would say the scar is a bit bigger than I would expect at the private hospital.

[AjarnP]

I am pleased that I am not alone in being a fan of Thai Government hospitals. I had colon surgery there in Ch Rai and have been cleared of any traces of the problem that led to the surgery being necessary.

I have also recently had good experiences at the Ch Mai Sriphat Hospital which is also Governmental being the teaching hospital of the Ch Mai university.

Yes, there are queues, but often it seems that they are better equipped than their private cousins. Having said that a self mixed cocktail of private CAT scans of ultrasound scans taken to the specialists in the hospital saves an awful lot of time.

I am, and will continue to be a fan.

[brianmarinus]

Yesterday I went to a check for my brain stroke earlier and it took 3 hours all in all...terrible,but we know thats how it is-in the other hand a doctor called my wife after she pay the bill from earlier and told her that we could get a insurrance covering everything for 2.600 a year-so we sure did make that.I asked into it to provide info here late but it is not so that evry one can get it they say-wife said it is as we have used the hospital much and always paid our bills that we where offered this-but maybe worth asking about it next time you are there..

[brianmarinus]

at my last check at the goverment hospital a doctor told my wife that we could make a insurrance covering everuthing there for 2.600THB a year-not which is offered everyone he said,but maybe aits worth asking for next time you go there.

[kevvy]

I am pleased that I am not alone in being a fan of Thai Government hospitals. I had colon surgery there in Ch Rai and have been cleared of any traces of the problem that led to the surgery being necessary.

I have also recently had good experiences at the Ch Mai Sriphat Hospital which is also Governmental being the teaching hospital of the Ch Mai university.

Yes, there are queues, but often it seems that they are better equipped than their private cousins. Having said that a self mixed cocktail of private CAT scans of ultrasound scans taken to the specialists in the hospital saves an awful lot of time.

I am, and will continue to be a fan.

Went to the private hospitals here , and they did not have the procedure to diagnose my problem, so one of them suggested that I go to Chiang Mai Sriphat Hospital.Went there the following week to see the specialist and they were so professional .It was amazing how many patients they see in one day .

[oldrocker]

brian did you actually get the 2600 baht insurance if so where?because we have been told it will not be renewed,i have kept my expired card just in case.

[chiang mai]

My wife spent two nights in Suan Doc, the large provincial hospital in Chiang Mai and I was there most of the time. I spent an hour outside of the recovery rooms where patients are sent after surgery, the flow of patients and care teams out of that area was impressive, every two minutes a team and patient would emerge.

From everything I have seen from that experience, Suan Doc and my wife's care was as good as any I've seen at Bumrungrad or at any hospital in the UK. Cosmetically the building doesn't look as nice, as with most Thai buildings it could stand a paint job and new furniture but the care element couldn't be faulted and the staff were easy to talk to and always helpful.

Interestingly, before my wife's gall bladder operation I was trying to steer her towards having the surgery done at a private hospital where a well known surgeon has hours, she declined in favour of Suan Doc. As it turns out that particular surgeon also has hours at Suan Doc and was the one who operated on her, a savings of around THB 80k. Her final bill was THB 4,200.

[brianmarinus]

brian did you actually get the 2600 baht insurance if so where?because we have been told it will not be renewed,i have kept my expired card just in case.

No I diddent get it as yesterday when we try to get it we where told that it is only for people from Myanmar,Laos and Cambodia for now-they said they are awaiting goverment aproval to give it for europe to.

Edited February 10, 2015 by brianmarinus

[oldrocker]

thanks brian,thats what we have been told ,it could be a long wait,but hope for government approval sometime.

[Torrens54]

thanks brian,thats what we have been told ,it could be a long wait,but hope for government approval sometime.

Wondering if we were to start a PETITION to the Government, or do you think it might "back-fire?"

[RichCor]

thanks brian,thats what we have been told ,it could be a long wait,but hope for government approval sometime.

Wondering if we were to start a PETITION to the Government, or do you think it might "back-fire?"

In my day, Institutions would only offer medical insurance to people who'd never need to use it so the higher-ups could pocket the money. I'm guessing Thailand hasn't completely understood the concept of Capitalism and Greed, in the same way they don't understand how Capitalism, Consumerism and Materialism function to create trickle-down Democracy as it's practiced in the west.

As to a PETITION, first you'd have to get around those pesky ThaiVisa rules that prevent gather support to effect change. Then there's the Thai "Government" who also seem to also have a rules that prevent gathering support to effect change. Then there's the expat community itself with the apathy and ...

It's so confusing.