Precisely, most Aussies will buy (or mandatory) to buy private healthcare, which covers most of these treatment. I can't see why they would need to flock to Spore.
Singapore has only 1 medical school (NUS) thus majority of the doctors are sourced from overseas. Those qualifications earned from countries like China or India are questionable. In Australia ,there are probably 15+ unis offer medicine, out of it 8-10 of the unis are recognised in Singapore to practise medicine. In US, probably much more, perhaps 500+ medical schools, quality from the very good ones(John H, Yale etc) to lousy ones (bogus unis). Foreigner import doctors in Australia, most of them got to take a bridging course or Masters, then houseman before admitted to practise medicine. If they don't speak good English, they are unlikely ever to get a good placement as they may interpret wrong information to patiences which lead to lawsuit. I met one GP the other day, she's from Vietnam but got her medical qualification here in Sydney - she says she often have to spend a lot of time documenting the patience issues if not she may subject to legal scrutinity. In Sg, don't believe there is such practise.
You claim Singapore is not a medical hub. I find your comparison to be interesting as some work colleagues from New Zealand and Australia are constantly praising the current health resources in Singapore. In this case I have a few questions for you based on experience:
1) In Australia/NZ can you kindly tell us how many weeks it take to book and see a specialist (Such as Ear Nose Throat ((ENT)) or ((Endocrinologist)) for example)
2) Can you please tell us how far you have to travel to see a specialist that is not located in your primary residential area?
3) Can you please tell us how far you have to travel and how long you have to wait (in months) to see a specialist centre with specialized equipment not normally available in all areas?
4) Can you please tell us your inpatient and outpatient costs and the times and circumstances to be admitted for inpatient and outpatient procedures or surgery?
5) Can you please tell us if hospital cover is required for inpatient or outpatient and at which point the NZ/Australain government
6) Can you please tell us if most drugs normally classified as over the counter in Singapore is only available by prescription in Australia which would necessitate a visit to a Primary care physcian which can take weeks?
7) Is it true that in cases where a prescription drug is prescribed by a specialist it can take more than a month to have a prescription written and in many cases patients simply "go without" medications due to the delay?
8) Is it true that there is a chronic shortage of doctors and nurses in NZ/Australia and that health care costs are increasing and the health system resources are currently unable to cope with rising demand?
9) Is it true that due to such demand certain surgeries such as "hip replacement" takes up to a year to complete while it can be done within one to two weeks in Singapore?
10) Is it true that the standard and level of care in terms of respurces is not on par with Singapore?
I find your assertions to be amusing and totally not conclusive to my own experiences. Just this past week I accompanied a NZ work colleague to the Novena Medical Center who was absolutely impressed by the marble lined ultra modern setting plus the availablity of the ENT who was able to see him within two hours instead of two weeks in NZ. Additionally a endocrinologist was available two doors down to see his wife who is suffering from diabetes and according to her (an Australian native) to see an endocrinologist takes one month due to a shortage of doctors there. Both swore Singapore is very much advanced than either NZ or Australia
I look forward to your reply.
