Health
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Health
I have been toying with the idea of spending an extended period in Cambodia for some time now. Even though I have visited a few times, I don't seem to be able to make the move. What's holding me back is the lack of medical facilities, and the question of medical insurance. I tend to worry a bit more about these issues as I get older (58). Can anyone advise me.
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Depends how sick you are. If you have something chronic I'd go with the Buffalo and head for Thailand where medical treatment is decent and a hell of a lot cheaper than 'the west'. Get a nose job while you’re there – medical tourism is just taking off in Thailand.
On the other hand, I've had friends who lived here and commuted to Bangkok for treatment every now and then. It's a viable option if you have the cash for a regular trip ($140 return by air) or much less overland.
If there's nothing wrong with you, then git over 'ere NOW. Contrary to appearances AND headlines AND the discussion here there are one or two real doctors here. They're competent GPs who can deal with most things that crop up here and freak you onto a plane to Bangkok when they can't.
Screw giving money to bloodsucking insurance companies - bank it and pay for your own medical expenses.
On the other hand, I've had friends who lived here and commuted to Bangkok for treatment every now and then. It's a viable option if you have the cash for a regular trip ($140 return by air) or much less overland.
If there's nothing wrong with you, then git over 'ere NOW. Contrary to appearances AND headlines AND the discussion here there are one or two real doctors here. They're competent GPs who can deal with most things that crop up here and freak you onto a plane to Bangkok when they can't.
Screw giving money to bloodsucking insurance companies - bank it and pay for your own medical expenses.
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I think that what's really putting me off is that when I was last there, in 2000, there was much talk among the NGO community about what happened to one of their colleagues, who was unfortunate enough to either fall off, or was knocked off his motorcycle late at night. Some locals found him in a bad state, and took him to the"Ta Cheng" hospital on Mao ZeDong. He lay there for 4 hours until one of his friends found him unconscious and bleeding from a severe head wound. The friend arranged to have him medivacked to Bangkok. But the frightening thing about the incident was that the guy was actually carrying his medical insurance documents in his pocket. If he had not been found in time by his friend, the best medical insurance in the world would have been useless. I think he made a good recovery.
Maybe I'm just easily frightened, or too cautious
Maybe I'm just easily frightened, or too cautious
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Yeah, that is an unfortunate example. If you are not conscious, then you are at the mercy of where they take you, and how quickly they can identify a relative or friend of yours.maximillions wrote:I think that what's really putting me off is that when I was last there, in 2000, there was much talk among the NGO community about what happened to one of their colleagues, who was unfortunate enough to either fall off, or was knocked off his motorcycle late at night. Some locals found him in a bad state, and took him to the"Ta Cheng" hospital on Mao ZeDong. He lay there for 4 hours until one of his friends found him unconscious and bleeding from a severe head wound. The friend arranged to have him medivacked to Bangkok. But the frightening thing about the incident was that the guy was actually carrying his medical insurance documents in his pocket. If he had not been found in time by his friend, the best medical insurance in the world would have been useless. I think he made a good recovery.
Maybe I'm just easily frightened, or too cautious
Ive heard many stories of people getting into major accidents, but always being around friends, or being conscious so they could get friends to them quickly. In all these cases, the appropriate medical care has been provided and if needed, a trip to Bangkok.
If you have a meical issue that needs regular consultations, you'll find a doctor here that will be able to help with that. If you have something that you feel is of a severity that may preclude that...have a chat to 2 or 3 of the major western doctors here and ask their advice before you come. Ask them if your condition (if this is your case) is something that could be monitored and treated locally, or would need to go to BKK for each time.
If it is only accidents an unforseen circumstances that you are concerned about, then I suggest that you get a medical bracelet made up, or carry a stand-out medical card that has your personal details and te contacts of local friends written in Khmer, and keep this with you. Update it as you lose/gain friends.
In your friends case, having his medical documents in his pocket would mean absolutely nothing if not in the local language, and wouldnt help with a vital point of contact to get a friend or relative next to his bedside.
Suggest getting medical insurance that does not require you to pay an excess, so you can go to the doctors as many times as you want without having to pay through the teeth for it.
The best advice of all though is to think about what will make you happy, and follow that.
If you feel coming to live in Cambodia is going to be a great experience and bring you happiness, then do it. If you are going to worry about all the things that might happen your whole life, you are going to miss out on giving yourself the chance to enjoy all the good things that might happen too.
At the end of the day, you could die at anytime. Live life to its fullest and do what you think will make you happiest.
Isn' t "Dr" Gloria in Bangkok now?BuffaloTom wrote:Depends what sort of health issues. If they are serious I wouldn't even contemplate living here. There are very few good hospitals here and very few remotely competent doctors/nurses. You are better off in Thailand if you like this part of the world.
http://www.khmer440.com/chat_forum/view ... 40&start=0
In fact I recommend getting really sick once every 5 years just to make getting health insurance worthwhile.
I know one loser on the Lakeside who regularly sleeps with ladies of the night without protection.
Due to this he has had so many doctors visits and blood tests that, apart from looking like a heroin user, he has already go this value from his insurance after only 2 years.
I know one loser on the Lakeside who regularly sleeps with ladies of the night without protection.
Due to this he has had so many doctors visits and blood tests that, apart from looking like a heroin user, he has already go this value from his insurance after only 2 years.
Actually it wasn't 'locals' who too him to Ta Cheng it was me; if it is the same guy. I found him late at night not far from the Walkabout, he had been knocked off his Bike (which was already gone I vaguely recall). All the expats at the time were wandering in and out of Walkabout, talking about the incident in such a way that I realised in my drunken stupor at the bar, he was still lying/sitting on the pavement. I stuck him in my old Hyundai and admittedly left him at Ta Cheng after he seemed relatively stable a few hours later (not that I am a doctor).maximillions wrote:I think that what's really putting me off is that when I was last there, in 2000, there was much talk among the NGO community about what happened to one of their colleagues, who was unfortunate enough to either fall off, or was knocked off his motorcycle late at night. Some locals found him in a bad state, and took him to the"Ta Cheng" hospital on Mao ZeDong. He lay there for 4 hours until one of his friends found him unconscious and bleeding from a severe head wound. The friend arranged to have him medivacked to Bangkok. But the frightening thing about the incident was that the guy was actually carrying his medical insurance documents in his pocket. If he had not been found in time by his friend, the best medical insurance in the world would have been useless. I think he made a good recovery.
Maybe I'm just easily frightened, or too cautious
I heard that his friends turned up the next day when he was evacuated to Bangkok where they put a metal plate in his head. I hear he is now fine and has been back to PP since.
OK, OK, next time i'll go through their pockets.
Bit of PP expat-urban-history for you.
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