Health & Wellness Best Posts in Thread: 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

 

ENT. Dr Simon Flores at Silliman Medical Center

 

Following a motorcycle accident (with a stray dog) I had a number of broken bones, torn anterior cruciate ligament and various other issues in my left knee. I saw Dr Danilo OLEGARIO at ACE Hospital but he also has rooms at SUMAC. His treatment was conservative and in the fullness of time has proven correct. With hindsight, I am very happy with what he did and probably happiest with what he didn't do (an operation). I had always thought if I had something like this I would hop a plane to Manila or Cebu and get treated there but couldn't because of COVID restrictions at the time (late January 2021) but am very happy I was treated by him as he was extremely thorough, explained what was happening and what he was doing and then had great follow up. In short, I was very happy. Note his wife runs the physio clinic at SUMAC so be specific and see Dr Danilo Olegario.

 

I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy this morning at Ace Doctors Hospital. Dr. Junabeth Credo is the best! Her staff was also top notch.

 

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.

 

My partner had her endoscopy at ACE by Dr. Credo a few weeks ago and I agree fully - also the hospital facilities are better than I have experienced at either Silliman and Holy Child. I found Dr. Credo through this string, so once again many thanks Notmyrealname.

I have also had excellent attention for myself from Dr. Danilo Olegario who is an orthopedic surgeon whom I have been seeing at his rooms at ACE. What I have appreciated is his thorough investigation into my issues, conservative approach to operating and clear explanation of what I must do in rehabilitation to avoid an operation. Following a bike accident in January, I broke a few bones, tore my ACL and patella ligaments in my knee. I can not speak highly enough of the medical advice I have received and recommend him to anyone who needs orthopedic advice.

 

Ophthalmologist: Dr. Yap at ACES Eye Clinic is very good. She takes her time and explains everything well. Most of the docs there commute from Cebu City, but Dr. Yap lives in Dumaguete. Very modern facility complete with sterile operating suite and all the high-tech testing machinery. Who would have thought something like that right next to HyperMart? 035 422 2237

 

Hello fellow foreigners (or anyone here for that matter)!

I have just seen a posting and I wanted to include it here as well. These days we are experiencing some rare events and these types of things really weigh heavily on people. It doesn't matter if foreigner or not! I want to share this here and hope it can be included in the pinned posting. Mental health is also very important!!!

If anyone has anymore info or help of this nature, please update! We all must help in these times.

I saw this posted from Yes, The Best Dumaguete on Facebook, so the credit goes to them:

-----------------------------------

Beshie, you are not alone. If you're experiencing

personal struggles or extreme sadness, do reach

out to Tawag Paglaum Centro Bisaya.
Tawag Paglaum Centro Bisaya is a 24/7 suicide

prevention and emotional crisis intervention

hotline for Central Visayas. Call them at 0939-

936-5433 or 0927-654-1629.
------------------------------------

I'm just posting because I care about you all. Take good care all!

 

Very wise - here they seek to make examples of their aliens so as to distract attention from the criminality of many of their own citizens.