Health & Wellness Best Posts in Thread: Experience at Holy Child Hospital

Experience at Holy Child Hospital

I decided to write about my experience at Holy Child Hospital, I believe this information is helpful to any future Patients of this Hospital.
Holy Child is located at the centre of Dumaguete City, I decided to go there because of it's location, it was much easier for my wife to go there, than for example Siliman or Provincial Hospital.
I caught an Urinary Tract Infection probably because of impure Drinking water, I treated myself at first with Amoxicilin but after four days it became severe and I admitted myself at the Emergency Room at about 8pm.
I was taken care of immediately and asked all the relevant questions and then my address details were taken down, after that they hooked me up to the famous “Dextrose”.
I was admitted to a Private Room with Bathroom/Toilet, TV and Aircon, quite large, facing the street and a bit noisy but tolerable, this was in the older part, one can have a room in the new section in the centre for the same price but non was available, for 1250PhP a day, this included three meals as much as I can see from the bill.
Because I was already admitted and had a long history of Digestive problems, I then decided to have at the same time an “Colonoscopy” and an “Endoscopy” for a total of 7200PhP for the procedures and 9500PhP for professional fees.
I was admitted for 3 days and had to pay a total of 22'162PhP with everything included, also some drugs and materials, exempt my medication to treat my infection and the problems they found in my stomach and colon.
Some of the drugs and materials have to be bought outside in the diverse Drug Stores, so one needs to have somebody to do that, some of the procedures can not be performed if one can not find the items needed, I was most of the time alone in the room, what I am comfortable with but I got some remarks about this not being conform with Filipino custom were a relative will be present at all times.
The overall experience was a good one, the staff was very friendly and helpful and I would go back any time if needed, I did not have to make a down payment but that was maybe because I look so wealthy! and was in company of another Foreigner when admitted.:o
Simple Mind

 

Perhaps this is the most important thread on DI. We can all compare eating establishments but (apart from food-poisoning due to poor hygiene) there is nothing more important for us all to know than which hospital to choose and which doctors to avoid.

 

A few more observations about my friend's experience at Silliman. (And, btw, I read about Silliman before I came to Dumaguete, how it was about the 3rd best hospital in The Philippines and how Dumagute is planned to be a Centre for Care (I think it stated for 'end of life' and I feel they will be good at that )).

Just after admission TWO nurses arrived, one with a set of bathroom scales. They measured the patient's weight. They asked her about her height as they had no measuring device - I had a tape measure in my bag and measured her. They recorded both figures. Why it took two I have no idea. About 20 minutes later another two nurses arrived and asked "What is your weight and height?" They did not even have any bathroom scales. My first time to see a hospital 'function' here and I realised it was cr*p.

I think about 20 people entered the room to check something within the first few hours and no one seemed to know about any previous visits or recordings - I mentioned the value of a chart at the bottom of the bed but it fell on deaf ears.

The hospital lacked equipment but, even if that is understandable in a developing country, they could easily improve communication.

No medical staff used gloves at any time. We had taken in our own alcohol spray and hand-sanitiser (same thing basically) and used a careful hand hygiene routine for the watchers - better than the (lack of) routine used by medical staff! My friend was offered a sponge-bath at 5 am and the nurse-aid saw gloves my friend had brought in and used them. That was the one and only attempt to avoid cross-infection during a 3-day stay.

It has been stated often that time spent in hospitals here is excessive - I think it can also be dangerous. Better to get out asap and use a very good hygiene routine at home.

 

My take on the hospital situation: Silliman is over-rated and they are not as friendly as Holy Child. When my husband was in Silliman hospital, he had his own oxygen generator, thus he did not use the hospital oxygen. Some guys from the mechanical dept came and checked his machine and told us it was fine to use, the nurse supervisor ok'd it, and we had Dr. authorization to use his machine. When we checked out of the hospital, there was an astronomical charge for oxygen on his bill. When questioned they said he had oxygen ordered and we must pay for it. We argued that we had gotten ok's from everyone involved and told them that we would accept the charge for the electricity to use his machine (although they weren't charging people to use their laptops, charge their phones, etc...). I paid the bill, minus the oxygen charges, and we were told we could not leave until that was paid. We literally ran out of the hospital with them yelling at security to stop us!! Not to mention they required a down-payment before he could even get a room!!
Holy Child took him right in and put him in a room, never asking for a penny up-front. He was allowed to use his machine, no questions asked. Holy Child provided a much nicer room, more pleasant atmosphere, and it is cheaper to boot. Yes, we had Phil-Health, and used it, however, for his last visit, Phil-Health wouldn't pay a single centavo since he had been previously admitted for the same condition. The last visit was our costliest, 160,000php plus our costs for medications and supplies. (This was still a bargain compared to what it would cost for 10 days in ICU, on a ventilator, in the states.) I whole-heartedly recommend Holy Child for any hospitalization. (Of course, you have to keep in mind, you will not receive the same level of care as if you were in a hospital in your home country, just bear in mind you are living in a 3rd world country.....)
Side note: Our daughter was a student at Silliman, and when she had to get her clearances, one stop was Silliman Hospital. Guess what? I ended up having to pay for that oxygen charge to get her clearance!! Silliman will hold you hostage, one way or another!)

 

There is really not much to discuss about health care in the Philippines. I have been treated at Chong Hua in Cebu as an outpatient and as an inpatient at Silliman here. Both hospitals used 1950's US equipment, 1980's methods, and charged 1950's US prices. At Silliman they gave me a choice of a private room in the new building or the old building and were very accommodating. Contrary to one post elsewhere on DI, they do provide personal items to the patients, however, you have to ask for the "Convenience Pack", and you have to pay for it, just like in the USA. Difference is in the USA they just give it to you and put it on the bill. Here they are surprised you are willing to pay the 2 or 300 for the items. I had a good experience at both facilities, possibly due to having very cooperative Dr's. Some expats have found Dr's whose treatment they are delighted with but for the most part it will prove out that this is a Third World Country, with Third World facilities, and Third World training for Dr's and nurses. I have a couple of Dr's that I rely on for meds and I get my blood work at Precision in Cebu, they are owned by LabCorps in the USA and their work seems to be ok. I get a full blown, all the bells and whistles physical once a year in the US. If I feel pain, I get on a plane. I have had a couple of illnesses here that the Dr's could not cure so I returned to the US and got proper treatment. One visit required a hospital stay. I know that I may have an accident or some unforeseen trauma but I do what I can to minimize my risk. I know that some on this forum have had life saving experiences with the medical treatment here and I applaud that. The reality is, however, that those stories are the exception rather than the rule. Sorry to reiterate but it is a Third World Country. Tuberculosis and rabies, (often from rat bites), are still common here and the medical training, care and treatment are way, way down the list in any world ranking you want to look at. I would say to try to protect your health and have an exit plan if you develop a problem. Your body often gives you warning. Last tip. I did fly once with a noncommunicable disease that still caused fever. If you have fever don't fly through Tokyo as they scan your forehead to see if you have fever and if you do you will be detained. Good health and luck to all, including myself. Stay aware and safe.

 

I know someone who very recently went into Silliman for an operation (private room with very scruffy CR). The doctor seemed rather elderly and resented being asked questions by me - I am not a doctor but have well above average medical knowledge. After the operation my friend had a swelling at the site of the operation and the doctor twice stated it to be post-operative swelling (the second time was 2 weeks after the operation). I totally disagreed with his diagnosis as post-op swelling would have shown signs of change within 14 days. I advised my friend to go to Holy Child and see a younger doctor - it turned out that this swelling was part of what should have originally been removed at Silliman - it was definitely NOT post-operative swelling. My friend now has to have a second operation, this time at Holy Child. When she informed the doctor at Holy Child of the post-op care regime she had been given, he indicated that it was mostly inaccurate and incomplete, with one part being harmful. He even stated that the extent of the operation performed at Silliman appeared 'old fashioned'. I became aware within seconds that he knows his stuff. He will perform the operation as an out-patient for 5K - the original 'mash up' cost 80K plus. It is usually not the hospital which is most important but the medical staff within. I rate the experience at Silliman as about 2 out of 10.

For legal reasons I will not state the name of the Silliman doctor here but am seriously worried in case anyone else uses him. If you or anyone you know is going to Silliman for general surgery then please PM me and I will simply state the name of a doctor I would find it hard to recommend.

 

I guess I was lucky. Silliman saved me when I had a serious stroke, had everything needed, and looked after me in a private room. Also, my wife had a C-section when my son was born and it was flawless.

 

Yes and coming along well, but so far just shells so it will still take years to finish and outfit them.

 

As foreigner don’t go to provincial hospital unless you are financially desperate.
Siliman is always very crowded, call it the victim of its success.
Holy Child is certainly the best choice for common treatment.
For extensive or complicated treatment, Siliman is still the right choice.
As a reminder:
Hospitals in the Philippines have a tendency of keeping patients longer than necessary.
If you feel that staying in the hospital is no longer an option, just tell the nurse that you will check out,
pay your bill (or let somebody pay it) say thank you to the nurse and the doctor and leave the hospital.
They cannot keep you any longer if you have paid your bill.
Also be aware that the pharmacy in Holy Child is more expensive than most other pharmacy’s in town.
If you have a choice, just go outside the hospital, turn left, 20 m from the entrance of Holy Child is most
likely the cheapest pharmacy of Dumaguete.

 

April 2016 I was badly mauled by an askal and was taken to Holy Child (I was in no condition to make any decisions) and had excellent treatment. I had to return home for further treatment (MRI and potential microsurgery). The specialist at home stated that the treatment I received had been very good, though dated - he said he would have done things differently but certainly 5 years earlier his treatment would have been identical.
Apart from some scaring I have no remnant issues and therefore thank people involved in the work done. I do think it is down to what exactly is the problem and the individual medical practitioner by whom you are treated .
P