S
suicidalpap
Guest
Public hospitals, good and cheap
Letter from Harshini Siriwardane 05:55 AM Nov 17, 2010
I AM an American expatriate living in Singapore. In the countries I have previously lived in, private healthcare providers were the best. Based on that experience, when my mother had problems with trembling hands, I went to a leading private hospital in Singapore.
Although we had booked an appointment, we waited for over an hour before the doctor could see us. After a few questions, he ordered a full body scan, costing almost $1,000.
The test did not reveal any abnormalities. Then, he ordered a $100 blood test, which revealed that the trembling was due to a high thyroid level. Why not do the inexpensive blood test first and then the scan, if needed? I felt cheated.
I then took my mother to the National University Hospital. I was pleasantly surprised by the facility and the courtesy of the staff. The appointment was on time.
The doctor explained what tests were needed, why, and outlined our options. We were in and out in less than 45 minutes and received a good medical opinion, at a fraction of the cost.
I went through the same process when my son had an eyelid infection. A specialist at the same private hospital made us wait, gave no options, and said a $3,000 operation was needed.
The next day, I called the Singapore National Eye Institute. The doctor was professional, kind and passionate. She gave three options and we agreed on a non-invasive process. We believe her medical opinion was not biased by profits. Within two days, the infection went away.
Hats off to the Government healthcare system, where world-class healthcare is available at reasonable prices.
Letter from Harshini Siriwardane 05:55 AM Nov 17, 2010
I AM an American expatriate living in Singapore. In the countries I have previously lived in, private healthcare providers were the best. Based on that experience, when my mother had problems with trembling hands, I went to a leading private hospital in Singapore.
Although we had booked an appointment, we waited for over an hour before the doctor could see us. After a few questions, he ordered a full body scan, costing almost $1,000.
The test did not reveal any abnormalities. Then, he ordered a $100 blood test, which revealed that the trembling was due to a high thyroid level. Why not do the inexpensive blood test first and then the scan, if needed? I felt cheated.
I then took my mother to the National University Hospital. I was pleasantly surprised by the facility and the courtesy of the staff. The appointment was on time.
The doctor explained what tests were needed, why, and outlined our options. We were in and out in less than 45 minutes and received a good medical opinion, at a fraction of the cost.
I went through the same process when my son had an eyelid infection. A specialist at the same private hospital made us wait, gave no options, and said a $3,000 operation was needed.
The next day, I called the Singapore National Eye Institute. The doctor was professional, kind and passionate. She gave three options and we agreed on a non-invasive process. We believe her medical opinion was not biased by profits. Within two days, the infection went away.
Hats off to the Government healthcare system, where world-class healthcare is available at reasonable prices.
