Health & Wellness Dental and Medical Information

DENTAL and MEDICAL SERVICES:

I am providing this list (also tried to add it as a WORD attachment but the .doc extension was not allowed ... any suggestions?) simply to assist anyone looking for information in one of the most crucial areas of life here. It may be especially useful to those new to the Philippines or to the local area. If new information is provided then I will update this and post it again (probably every 6 months but sooner after the first ‘edition’ if major changes follow new information).

Some extra details are provided on the basis that new members may need to know.

The information has been mostly obtained from this forum (with some locations added by myself), using the most recent postings. I am listing health professionals to show those most liked and least liked (if applicable) by those forum members who posted comments. This does not mean anyone's service is negative but just that some did not feel happy using that professional.

Information on Military Hospitals for Veterans has not been added here but will be provided if members wish to give me information.

The names of specialist professionals listed here are mostly those located in Dumaguete City. It has been suggested that for major surgery, Manila and Cebu should be considered (some members actually return to their home countries for some of their healthcare).

Most recommendations are for doctors working at Silliman University Medical Center. (SUMC), located at V. Aldecoa Sr., Daro, Dumaguete City. Landlines 035 225 0841 and 035 420 2000 - http://www.sumcfi.org/doctor lists the doctors by specialism. Holy Child Hospital is sometimes mentioned by members and is located in the centre of the Downtown area of Dumaguete City (not to be confused with Holy Cross, which is a school).

For CEBU: highly recommended is: Chong Hua Hospital, Don Mariano Cui St., Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City, Phone No.: +63 (32) 255-8000, +63 (32) 254-1461. info@chonghua.com.ph; http://www.chonghua.com.ph

For MANILA: A Google search will reveal hundreds of hospitals and I am not aware of any particular hospitals highly recommended by members. So perhaps some members may add to this.

Members have noted that hospitals in the Philippines tend to keep patients for longer than is always necessary but if you are unsure about this then it is best NOT to discharge yourself prematurely. Also, a ‘watcher’ is expected - this is a person (often family member) who stays with you during your stay in the hospital. This person assists you in getting to the CR and also to go out to find items required for your treatment from one or more pharmacies (more than one may be necessary in order to locate everything required and without all of them you may not be treated, including being operated on). A deposit will be required when admitting yourself (more may be required during treatment) and it is important to settle the balance before leaving.

DENTAL:

Dr. Julie Flor Cordeta at Premier Dental, (Tan Alley Building, South Road, Tabuc Tubig, Dumaguete City; Tel: 0917.174.5005 and 0998.957.5397 and (landline) 035.421.05.79. premierdcs@gmail.com. www.premierdent.net) is very widely liked (therefore busy and difficult to obtain appointments with). Sedation is available and the external anaesthesiologist can be of the patient’s own choice if so wished. At the time of the writing the dentist does not do root fillings. For that particular requirement, the dentist recommended Dr. Chua at Holy Child.

Dr. Jane Palma, Portal West Bldg, top floor. Tel: 09175330066 (closed Sat/Sun). “My family has used her for 6 years. A friend had a root canal there. She takes emergencies”.

CARDIOLOGISTS:

Dr. Brian Joseph Calinawagon seems to be well liked. I think he is located at Silliman University Medical Center.

One member recommended Dr. Magbanua at Silliman University Medical Center. “A little older, takes his time with you and he goes by appointments first, walk-ins if he has an opening.”

Dr. Susan Denura has elicited varied opinions from “Without question she is a good doctor but seems to resent questions about her recommendations and so forth.” to another member who is happy with her service.

Two members were not happy using Dr Sayson. They felt she did not listen to them.

ORTHOPAEDICS:

Note: Silliman University Medical centre has a working MRI scanner and this can be very important to see the extent of any soft tissue damage.

Dr Oligario and Dr Lynn Oligario (the latter for physiotherapy) at Silliman University Medical Center are particularly liked. One member commented how surgery was stated as an option but that the doctor wanted to try other treatments first (this is a positive).

Dr Katada also practices at Silliman University Medical Center.

[Cebu City: Dr San Juan, Chung Hua Hospital (details above) was recommended]

COLONOSCOPY:

One member wrote “I had one done at Holy Child a couple of years ago. Can't remember the name of the doctor. The cost was around 8000 pesos. They gave me some IV drip so I slept through the whole thing. “ Then another stated “Holy Child...also several years ago. Doctor Carriaga.”

CHILD BIRTH:

Female gynaecologist Dr Uy at Silliman University Medical Center provided “A very positive experience [for a C-section]”. (Although this recommendation was made very recently, the use was many years ago and I am not aware if this doctor still practices).

“My daughter was born at Holy Child. No problems and Php24,000 all told. Her Ob/Gyn was Dr Tan. Very competent and no long-nose tax.”

“My Mrs gave birth at the DIAGCLINIC birthing clinic opposite Nevas pizza (in Hibbard Avenue), it was clean with aircon. 11k all in for 24hrs. Might be worth checking is it’s a straight forward birth like no suggestion of C- section. “

PEDIATRICIAN:

Dr. Ongkingko at Silliman University Medical Center, “7 years caring for my son, very knowledgeable and positive experience”. (Although this recommendation was made very recently, the use was (possibly) many years ago and I am not aware if this doctor still practices).

NEUROLOGIST:

Dr. Dipatado at Silliman University Medical Center “helped me survive a serious stroke for the last five years, still alive so positive”.

Urologist:

Dr. Ozzoa of Silliman University Medical Center was recommended

 

How about as a PDF?

 

Thanks for the effort to put that together. Very useful compilation.

 

Can I just add Dr. Mirasol (SUMC) for pediatricians. She is awesome. She takes time to explain things and is really good with kids.

If you’re in Manila and need to be admitted, a good hospital to be in would be St. Luke’s.

And I don’t know about Dr. Carriaga of SUMC. If he is the same gastro doctor who misdiagnosed my mother and told her she had ulcer and bacterial infection and gave her medication that nearly obliterated her liver. She didn’t have ulcer. She had pancreatic cancer. Apparently wasn’t the first time he misdiagnosed people. I would tell you to avoid him but there isn’t a wide choice here if you need an Internal Medicine Specialist. If you’re in Cebu, please go see Dr. Leslee Ong at Chong Hua Medical Arts.

 

I would like to add Dr Kenny Sinda (Pediatrician) who takes very good care of our Son at SUMC

 

ENT. Dr Simon Flores at Silliman Medical Center

 

For Hospitals in Cebu, I can recommend UCMed. Facilities were flawless, everything looked brand new when my son spent 2 nights there 2 years ago. Many doctors practicing in Chong Hua also can treat you in UCMed (as was the case with his pedia there).

Generally when picking a doctor it may be worth to ask for their pricing scheme in case you're admitted. Recently switched Pedias in SUMC since the old one (Ms Serillo) charged us a daily rate based on the room price (so 2.5k / day for the room - 2.5k / day for her), even if on most days all she did was a 5 minute visit. Refused to give any discount and her secretary even tried to sell the part of her fees which Philhealth paid as a "discount" given to us by her.

In case you have insurance beyond Philhealth, it's obviously best to find doctors that are accredited with them.

 

Family doctor: Dr. Rowena Samaras, SUMC, Medical Arts Building, Room 227.

 

Thanks for this - I will update the list quite soon as many have sent additional information here and by PM.

What is Dr Ong's specialism? I am not sure where cross-over occurs with a patient with cancer of the gastro-intestinal system (or any other cancer) and an oncologist takes over.

 

Yes, I should have already added that one as remember the problem with your ears!