Next, based on my own experience in Manila, I will briefly introduce the medical situation in the Philippines for the reference of friends who need medical treatment in the Philippines.
In the streets and alleys of Manila, there are many pharmacies, and even Watsons in shopping malls have special drug selling areas, occupying a large part of the store area.
There is also a chain of pharmacies, mercury drug, all over Manila. At first, the large number made me mistake it for a chain convenience store, although they also sell other goods, just like convenience stores. In addition, there are many clinics and pharmacies around each community. At first, I wondered why there were so many pharmacies. Later, I finally knew why these pharmacies existed. The reason is that it is too expensive to go to the hospital here. For the local people's income standard (average wage 1500 yuan/month), it is sky-high.
There is a chain community clinic with good environmental sanitation service called family doctor, but this comprehensive clinic can only see minor illnesses such as headache and brain fever. Basically similar to small clinics in China, doctors can see everything, but only a little. If the symptoms are complicated or need further examination, you should go to a big hospital.
The legendary big hospitals are mainly divided into several types. First, China Hospital. Most Chinese who came to the Philippines chose to seek medical treatment because there was not much language barrier and they felt relatively safe. For example, Guangtan Memorial Hospital and Chongren Hospital can find Dr. China who can speak Chinese. However, like Chinese supermarkets and Chinese restaurants in Manila, the charges of these Chinese hospitals are two to three times that of China. There are also some clinics and medical institutions in China, including Putian Hospital. I met fruit once. Because of indigestion and stomachache, I want to go to the clinic to prescribe some medicine. As soon as I entered the clinic, I described my illness and needs to the doctor. The doctor told me with a strong Putian accent that I needed an intravenous drip for three days ... I was so scared that I went out without looking back. Second, local public hospitals, with relatively general environmental sanitation conditions, sometimes need long queues. There are basic examination and treatment items, but in the emergency department of public hospitals, X-rays, filming and other items at night cannot be done with instruments. You don't need to register in a public hospital. When you see a doctor, just ask the front desk to contact the corresponding doctor and line up. The consulting fee is 500P, which is equivalent to almost 70 RMB. This price is pure consultation fee, excluding medicine fee. Doctors can buy medicine in the hospital or go out to the drugstore outside by themselves. By the way, add the general situation of drug prices. Most drugs in the Philippines are imported, and there are few local essential drugs, so the drug price is still relatively high. For example, an Indian antiseptic ointment costs about RMB in 50 yuan.
The third kind of hospital is a private hospital in Manila. Among them, makarti med is a well-known one, and there are many Chinese. Environmental health services and security are good, but I have to say that this hospital is inefficient and the fees are outrageous. Not long ago, I took the injured employees there for inspection, and it took about half an hour from registration to inspection. Then check it out. Just ask a few questions. I only did this step, and then I paid more than 2300 P, equivalent to more than 300 RMB. I wanted to take a CT there, but I was almost shocked by the charge. It costs 1 1000 p to do a head CT, which is equivalent to RMB 1600 yuan.
In contrast, another private hospital is much cuter. This is also a 24-hour private hospital, St. Luke's Medical Center. Personally, I think the service level of sanitation and environment is very good. Hotel-style hospital hall is spacious and bright, with a series of catering facilities such as Starbucks and McDonald's, which is relatively efficient. 1000P is equivalent to about 150, which is not too expensive. Clinics pay attention to protecting patients' privacy, which is better. More humanized, some series of decorations such as sofas and curtains in the clinic look very homely, warm and tidy, which makes patients relaxed in this environment.
In addition, there is a small chain hospital, Adventus Medical, which is convenient to see a doctor. This chain medical institution is located in various regions, with reasonable conditions and fees, but its efficiency is not high. In some areas, there are doctors in China who can speak Chinese, so the language barrier is relatively small.
Although the overall medical conditions in the Philippines are not as bad as expected, there is still a big gap compared with China. Suspected cases of COVID-19 epidemic in the Philippines cannot be diagnosed locally in the Philippines, so patients' samples need to be sent to Australia for testing and diagnosis. Therefore, once the epidemic rages here, the consequences will be unimaginable. Here, I hope that the epidemic can be controlled as soon as possible, and I hope that the motherland will be safe and everyone will be safe!