[Philip1]

I believe Cebu has now a JCI certified Hospital where they accommodate same insurance system in here.
I can always check it for you or you can check their website. This is the same Hospital accreditation such as in the Singapore, US or other countries. Where they have a very strict standards in Hospital Management. Also before I forgot another Hospital was accredited with Trent, European Hospital Certifying Body.

Both were the First in the Visayas and Mindanao. Only Cebu have passed so far of this kind of facilities and services with this Prestigious Certifying Body. With this recent development, Expats especially the elderly have chosen Cebu as their choice not only of the Healthcare but also the world class beaches and hotels. To mention again about the Fluent English speaking Cebuanos and the Very Friendly Business environment.

 

[sheama]

Yes it true

 

[chris_jobes]

Can anyone tell me how i go about getting my monthly medictions on perscription in the philippines

 

[Lew1]

I, an Australian tourist was recently in Manila and sick. I took the first plane out as this is not a place to be ill in. With the abject poverty and people living in filthy conditions and undernourished I realised the health
of a middle aged male tourist would probably not be a priority for them. One of my banks which had most of my money had been cancelled in error by the bank which left me with about US@600. Until I could get hold of my bank next day. I went to the Makati pharmacy for some asthma preventor as the pollution in Manila had triggered an asthma attack which I hadn't had for years. The pharmacy wouldn't give me even some basic asthma treatment without a prescription and I had no idea if the appointment with the doctor would cost me 50 or 1000 dollars. I ended up leaving and got the asthma treatment on the next flight out at Singapore pharmacy without a prescription. Feeling better now.
Just on the ambulance situation in Manila, I have travelled to many places around the world and never seen a road system like this . If you were sick you could die before getting to the hospital. Philippines is suffering from massive overpopulation, why would you want such big families born into such poverty. Also the government must be corrupt as it sure isn't spending any money on basic services for the community. I feel sorry for anyone living in Manila.

 

[Lew1]

Overpopulation and poverty have left the Philippine medical and road system in a mess

 

[Edward6]

As a health care professional my experience with health care in the Phil is that I will do everything not to enter a hospital or clinic. I reviewed 12 cases of friends...every diagnosis was wrong, treatments were uneccessary and the physicians were arrogant and condescending to the patients. Health care is only about how much money they can scam you out of. The other inhuman thing is that the hospitals won't release a deceased body until all bills are paid. Clearly an offense against humanity and decency...and these are so called Catholic hospitals.
The Phil are called the Gates of Hell for a reason!

 

[jwing]

easy to say ..you grew up in America...move back to the PL

 

[jwing]

How about raw sewage, stray dogs and cats, and trash everywhere..lots of pride

 

[jwing]

but it's not their fault....Number one excuse

 

[Ballunco]

Is true my fiance is Been hostage by the private hospital in davao shshe's been already discharge but don't have the money to pay all at once and its been detained until she pays the whole amount..that's socks that they do it to poor people ..there's no humanity

 

[jwing]

If you have ever waited for hours on end to see a doctor only to be turned away because they have other things to do..then you have witnessed Philippine doctors. The hospitals are filthy and they are always looking in books to see if they can figure out what the problem is. Three family members have gone to the hospitals with different sickness and all died...always not their fault. These were young ..until recently healthy kids and boom dead. I'll take my chances at home..not in a filthy hospital

 

[Jose_Mindanao]

This forum is quite accurate, for Xpats, OFWs and their relative i would suggest to get themselves a health insurance, philippines have lots of great HMO's such as Intellicare, Maxicare, Maxicard, Cocolife among others, basic monthy contributions will only cost you P600-700 ($15) the cost of a steak in USA or EU thats worth the peace of mind if you ask me, Government Hospitals Annual Buget for is small this is because our Constitution prioritizes Education and Infrastructure above all else, well need charter change to set this up, Philhealth (Universal Health Care) is a great help considering the miniscule monthly payment a worker contributes (eg. Dialysis Patient for a P500/monthly contribution they will get to avail P4000 for 45treatments yearly or a total of P180,000.00 for P6,000.00 annualy...Bankrupt soon maybe?) on the other hand Private Hospitals in the philippines doesnt get any help from the government, Hospital equiptments which cost millions are even Taxed by customs so this will be passed on to the patients, most of them even get loans from Banks which entails another payables with added interests, FYI its against the Law for any Hospital to detain a patient confined in a ward for nonpayment of bills, he/she will be released provided all documents which the hospital may require be given as guarantee of payment. I hope i added a few clarity about philippine healthcare, will check back again soon. CIAO.

 

[guest9]

unlucky country, basing from history (Philippine name origin) finally gained its independence after being colonized by Spain (centuries), Japan(decades), and America and guess what had just left, corrupt and greedy Filipino officials who instead uplift the country but i think colonizers run already into their blood. The gold of the Philippines was gone with the Spaniards, Japanese and the Americans. This is the truth about the 1700 islands. Added again by a some groups who wants to separate and make their own country and until now left the people of Mindanao in curse. THAT'S WHY POVERTY IS AROUND.

 

[john52]

if your coming to ph and you need pain meds forget it. if you have surgery your post op med is advil, so if you are on meds for pain you should stay where you are. john

 

[Karl2]

There is a Philippines law against holding a patient hostages in a hospital.
Patients, except those who stay in private rooms, who are partially or http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno9439irr.html#.VufM-yFuk0M


Patients, except those who stay in private rooms, who are partially or fully recovered and who wish to leave the hospital or medical clinic but are incapable to pay, in part or in full, their hospital bills or medical expenses/ hospitalization expenses shall be allowed to leave the hospital or Hfmedical clinic and shall be issued the corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent documents for their release from the hospital or medical clinic upon execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligations. The promissory note shall be secured by either a mortgage, or a guarantee of a co-maker who shall be jointly and severally liable for the unpaid obligations.

 

[john_jones]

my girl friend live in the philippines and has a blood disorder. she has to go to hospital about every 4 to 6 months. for 4 dayes and meds for the 4 days is 800 us. dollars and the meds are 320 dollars per month.
is there any health insurance i could get to help eith the costs. i running out of money
thanks

 

[Amy10]

My brother has a stage 4 cancer, had radiation therapies, broken bone surgery and had blood clot removed from his head recently, etc. He is currently in ICU at a hospital in Manila. His two surgeries cost approximately 500,000 pesos (about $10k). We receive prescriptions daily by which we have to go out and purchase the medications and bring it to the nurse to give to my brother. If we do not have the money, my brother may not receive an immediate care or medications. He will have to wait a long time to get a bed at a charity ward. The hospital does not have the amenities needed to provide the patients. We were instructed to purchase 2 pillows, body pillow, egg crate mattress pad, etc. and bring it to the ICU for his use. I am assuming that it's different at a private hospital.

If we notice something that we feel should require an immediate attention, like blisters on the arms of the patient, open wound or swelling due to bandage wrapped so tight on his arm, the nurse won't touch the patient nor call the doctor for directives. The nurse simply instructs us to talk directly to the doctor or wait for him or her to show up for their rounds.

It's very tough to think what else could be going wrong during the time that we are not present since visiting before or after the visiting hours is strictly prohibited. In ICU, only one person can visit at a time and family members waiting outside ICU to enter are thrown out for congregating. No accessible waiting room available nearby. Before I arrived in the Philippines, my brother's family live in the car day and night just to be accessible if called. If you can afford a hotel, find one nearby the hospital. That is what I did. Flight and hotel package is the best to save money. They can finally get some good rest with me in my hotel room, shower and eat better food.

 

[Ron_Kronebusch]

Well I look at the world in a different way. No human being on this planet should suffer and have to buy for medical, starve or be homeless just not right. Earth is all our planet and home we all need to start sharing it. United States, Insurance company's, corporations that make billions of off sick people and the poor is so so sad. Then get subsidized by the government at the same time. But yet poor country's and even north america suffers big time. With no coverage on medical. But at the same time question where does all this million and millions of dollars go when we donate to charity's like Doctors without Borders and other charity's, red cross, and others, where can a family go if they have a 40.000 dollar bill to buy hospital and they can't even afford food so so sad.

 

[Thomas14]

I have heard normally private hospitals in the Pi are very good, but it seems crazy that you have to have someone there with you to buy meds and get your food???. what if you do not know or have anyone you can trust under those circumstances,that would be a pretty scary situation

 

[elizabethpaige]

I would agree on some parts of the post. I believe we all have our own opinion regarding our experiences with the healthcare in the Philippines. As for me, when my mom had cancer, we went to one of Las Piñas hospitals in the country and we really felt their concern with their patients. As for the billings, we spent alot but thanks to programs and partnership like Philhealth, we were able to save some bucks from spending more than we could. ALSO, before my mom died, her doctor advised us on the best things to do which we really appreciated.