“A Day at the Races”, “A Night at the Opera”, sprang to mind – but this was less fun than a Marx Brothers’ film.
Malaysia is noted for its good health care at reasonable prices. Today I found myself in need of them due to a lung infection which makes me cough, and lower back pain which is exacerbated by the cough.
At 7.30AM I called our health insurance agent for advice, and she made afternoon appointments in the hospital with two doctors, one whose specialty covered each problem. Then she picked me up and took me to the hospital in time for the first appointment.
Initially I had to register on the ground floor, but they still had my details from five years ago when we visited the hospital for the compulsory government checkup for the MM2H visa, so all I needed to do was give my current address. We were given a queue number for each doctor.
Then we went to the first doctor’s rooms and waited outside until it was my turn. The doctor recommended an X-Ray, and I talked to him about radiation, which he said now is very low. So a nurse accompanied me with my files down to the X-Ray department, where soon I was X-rayed. I could talk to the doctor about the results in about an hour.
The doctor discussed the results, and told me what medicines he would prescribe.
The it was time to wait for the next doctor. He also wanted an X-Ray, but from a different angle. Back to the X-Ray department, and after a few minutes I had another X-Ray. After it was taken I headed back to the doctor, and he discussed the results and told me what medicine I would be prescribed.
Finally I went to the accounts department to pay the bill, and then receive my medications. All up, RM535. Our agent was with me for much of the day, and helped by finding out information for me. She drove me home after.
so many medicines!!!
Here is the itemised bill:
Doctor 1:
Medicines 111.60
Miscellaneous 8
X-Ray 42
Consultation fee 80
Doctor 2:
Medicines 101.80
Miscellaneous 8
X-Ray x 2 84
Consultation fee 100
I have managed largely to avoid hospitals until now, so it’s hard for me to compare. However, my comments: The doctors were professional and friendly, as were the nurses, and waiting times were not too long. My only complaint was that the chairs in the cafe were not comfortable to sit in with my back condition.
By the way, had I gone to a local doctor’s clinic, the consultation would have cost about RM35, but of course he doesn’t have X-Ray equipment, so to get X-Rays, their results, and then to see the doctor again to discuss the results would have taken a day or two I suppose. I was in a lot of pain, so I wanted to start recovery as soon as possible, and thus the hospital was the best choice.
Tropical Expat 