From the Midwest redneck author of "The Rooster Crows at 4am!," "Lizard Poop!," and "The Philippines Expat Advisor"
The Bloody Challenge in Iloilo City
After getting a referral from the rudest doctor in the Philippines, located at Iloilo Doctor's Hospital, for some blood work the doctor did not think necessary, my wife and I are off to St. Paul's Hospital in Iloilo because the obnoxious physician evidently didn't think the staff at her own facility could handle the simple task of drawing blood. I had slightly elevated high cholesterol levels back in the States and haven't had any blood tests done in years. I experienced a kidney stone attack last February where I was taken to Great Saviour's Hospital in Iloilo. Three technicians and a doctor could not even draw blood from me after a total of five attempts. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled about the prospect of multiple stabbings again. I don't mind the sight of blood as long as it's not mine. 
Here's the complete cost breakdown of the blood test:
- FBS P105.00
- CREATININE P140.00
- URIC ACID P200.00
- LIPID PROFILE P735.00
- CBC P240.00
- POTASSIUM P340.00
- SODIUM P340.00
- CALCIUM P340.00
As you can see, it's a fairly comprehensive blood test, now if they can just get my blood out without butchering me. It's not long before my technician, Christine, calls me over. I explain the unfortunate incident at Great Saviour's Hospital in Iloilo. She does not seem fazed by the bloody challenge, takes my left arm first, looking for a good vein (I don't tell her that other nurses and techs usually use a vein from my right arm. I'm not the professional.)
However, Christine soon takes my right arm instead, finds a vein, and without me barely feeling the slightest prick, she draws my blood in the first attempt! I praise her effort, stand up and claim her as "the best medical technician in all of the Philippines." She smiles and thanks me. I can imagine celestial choirs singing the praises of this wonder tech! Christine informs me that I can pick up the test results at one o'clock in the afternoon. I thank her and head off with my asawa for lunch.
We return to the lab at one pm and get the blood test results. I ask Christine where we can find a doctor to interpret the results for me since there was no way I was going back to the rude doctor that gave me the referral. She said we could go to the Emergency Room for a doctor's referral. After checking what doctors were available at the hospital, the Triage Nurse at Emergency gave us the room number at St. Paul's of a doctor who was a Cardiologist and Doctor of Internal Medicine.
We arrive at the office and discover that he is the SAME doctor that also has an office in Doctor's Hospital which he shares with the rudest doctor in the Philippines that I had recently locked horns with. There was no way I was going to see this guy, I told my wife. She informed me that the female physician is not in this office and that this is the original doctor I was going to see anyway. I sit and fume (ok, you could also exchange the word "pout" for "fume.") There's a long line of patients waiting ahead of us. I'm not happy.
An hour passes. I take out the blood examination results again and discover that the normal range for each part of the blood test is listed on the side of the results. I have a slightly high cholesterol level, but everything else looks fine. I tell my wife that we should leave. The doctor is just going to tell me to exercise, lose weight, and eat healthier. She insists on us staying because she wants me to have a regular doctor and an physical exam in the near future. I fume some more and wait.
Another hour passes. The receptionist comes out, and my wife asks her how long it might be before we get to see the doctor. She informs my asawa that there are still a lot of patients ahead of me. I let my wife know in no uncertain terms that I am not waiting any longer. We leave. Go back to "The Compound" in Guimaras.
Still have to find a personal physician for myself, but I'll do that at a future date. Right now I'm just wore out from all the doctors and hospitals we have recently visited. But since I promised my asawa I would go to a doctor for a future check-up, I will. Otherwise she will continue to remind me about it. Again. And again. And again (and I know it's only because she loves me!}
Doctors, needles, yikes! I have those hard to find veins as well and once got stuck 5 times which explains why I haven’t been to a doctor in about 25 years now.
Getting a needle so many times.just to find a vein……..makes my arm hurt just to think about that……….but the prices for medical service in Philippines look really cheap…….compared to cost in America
Dave you have spent more time in hospitals….than George Clooney in the tv show E.R. ………..maybe the filipina nurse’s……just like getting a chance to see the Kano
I can relate, Tony. Just come over to the Philippines and visit St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo next time you want a blood test. Remember to ask for Christine.
Very cheap compared to the States, Ralph in Iraq. And the best part is that my retirement benefits will reimburse me for everything.
Ha ha, yeah, it does seem that way lately, Ralph in Iraq. I got a few looks while I was in the hospital hallways, but the asawa was always close by on sentry duty.
I’m already in the Island Paradise Dave, just outside the metro Manila area……and i’ll pass on the blood tests as long as possible.
Back in Michigan I had Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medigap. Office calls and blood work was always “zero.”
Just my AC1 blood test is 650 pesos. The last full blood work was over 850 pesos but I had more done than yours.
My trouble is that I might have bone cancer on my left shin. I checked and the chemo is 30,000 per month. I don’t have it so that is out of the question. Still have Medicare but no money for the plane fare to Guam. Sometimes life is hard no matter where a person lives.
Got that off my chest, feel better.
OK, Tony, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep track of where everyone is, sorry. Don’t blame you for passing on the blood tests, though. I was really fortunate to have a great tech at St. Paul’s.
Sorry to hear about the bad news, Gary. Please keep us posted on your condition. My prayers are sure with you.
The US (by official rankings of the World Health Organization which, strangely enough, is financed substantially by the US)) is number one in only one area of medicine … costs. In terms of world-wide standardize statistics, like infant mortality, hospital-acquired infections, etc., the US actually ranks 37th. That’s right, 37th. You can look it up. France is number one, by the way. But indeed medical costs n the Philippines are a great lure to living here for me.
Interesting fact, Dave. I just checked the Philippines infant mortality rate, and the website I looked at ranks the Philippines as 101st in the world. Sure thought the States would have a higher ranking than 37th. And France is number one? Would’ve never guessed it.
Gary …is there any local health care insurance that is available for Americans living in the Philippines…….Don’t know if my asawa is correct or not……but she says i can sign on to her Philippine health care insurance ……..when we marry……like I said she may have her facts mixed up
Didn’t expect you to know where I was Dave………just posting more as I am in search of the coveted Poopy!
Gary
Will also keep you in my prayers. Hopefully everything will work out for you. Try to stay positive. Shouldn’t you be able to get Philhealth Insurance?
Hey Ralph, your wife is right on. Meriam signed me up and then paid for a whole year. A total of 1,200 pesos. Yep, only 100 pesos per month. I have a waiting period of 3 to 6 months and it only pays 30% at best but Philhealth is the best deal over here. How much it pays depends on what type of hospital you go to. Lots to learn about it!!! Thanks.
Sorry to hear that Gary. Good idea to check into the Philhealth Insurance.
OK, Tony, got it! Say, you’re in the running so far for a Poopy this month. I’m going to try and get Filipina bold star, Ara Mina, to hand out the awards next month.
I have to sign up for that, too. Gary. I was told by a PhilHealth rep that all I needed was a certified NSO copy of our marriage contract, and we’re good to go. Only 30% coverage at best, though, huh? Well, for only P100 a month it still sounds like a good deal. Hope everything works out for you.
Dave, someone told me that the portion that PhilHealth pays is enough to get you into the hospital in an emergency without paying a deposit. In an emergency, it saves you the time needed to go home or to the bank to get some money for the hospital deposit. That time savings in an emergency might be more important than the cost savings, especially for someone who has private health insurance that will reimburse the cost later anyways.
That’s good news, Lance. Thanks for the information. Sure could have saved us some time and money when I had that kidney stone attack last year. I’ll be sure to get enrolled this month. The local PhilHealth comes to our local hospital in Guimaras every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Joy suggests that you also have a specific doctor as a contact at St. Paul’s or Doctor’s Hospital in Iloilo, then if an emergency happens you can request them instead of just getting whichever doctor is on call at that time. Probably Melinda will know what Joy is talking about.
Ok, that sounds like a good idea, Lance, thanks.
Dave, you said in the article that you are looking for a personal physician. Here is a list of Recommended Iloilo, Philippines Doctors and Dentists from Bob Hammerslag’s website:
http://goiloilo.com/recommended-iloilo-philippines-doctors-and-dentists/
Thanks, Lance. I found a good dentist in Iloilo from Bob’s list last year. Very useful site for information about the Phils.
Hi Dave,
Have a recommendation for you for a good GP Doctor. Been my doctor since 2002 and treats the whole family. His office is 3 city blocks down from the A
Robert Jacobo MD
Suite 204, J and B III, Queson st. Iloilo City
335-8739.
Thanks, much, Paul. I appreciate it. My asawa has been after me to get a check-up since we moved to Guimaras almost two years ago.