Govt hospital or Private?

[nookiebear]

Hi Bill

I had a similar experience to you.

I went to ekachon in Buriram, and across the road for an audio exam -like being in a telephone booth or Dr Who's "tardis".

I was given tablets but to no avail.

Then went to korat Bangkok Hospital -one of the best. immediately the ENT specialist told be basically it was just due to age, and that there would be good days and bad days.

3 days later the hearing in my left ear returned, and still remains fine. Think it was partly due to the after effects of a heavy cold. He incidentally told me to stop the tablets given to me in Buriram as they would not help.

As you say, private beats government every time.

It looks to me as though Buriram can only deal with those of us fortunate enough to have normal sized ears

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Hi Bill

I had a similar experience to you.

I went to ekachon in Buriram, and across the road for an audio exam -like being in a telephone booth or Dr Who's "tardis".

I was given tablets but to no avail.

Then went to korat Bangkok Hospital -one of the best. immediately the ENT specialist told be basically it was just due to age, and that there would be good days and bad days.

3 days later the hearing in my left ear returned, and still remains fine. Think it was partly due to the after effects of a heavy cold. He incidentally told me to stop the tablets given to me in Buriram as they would not help.

As you say, private beats government every time.

Dont understand Nick.

Ekachon Buriram is a private hospital.

The point is that even private hospitals have their limitations.

I had a kidney stone 4 years ago. Went to Ekachon -x rays etc and stayed in for 3 nights. They than advised an operation, but it would have to be done in the government hospital, and furthermore I would have to see the consultant at the government hospital. He was there for 1 hour and there were 50 people before me to see him.

i went to Bangkok pattaya hospital with x rays. Dr there said very small stone -would pass automatically and gave me some tablets...500bt!

If you can afford -or have insurance -go to the best hospital.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Hi Bill

I had a similar experience to you.

I went to ekachon in Buriram, and across the road for an audio exam -like being in a telephone booth or Dr Who's "tardis".

I was given tablets but to no avail.

Then went to korat Bangkok Hospital -one of the best. immediately the ENT specialist told be basically it was just due to age, and that there would be good days and bad days.

3 days later the hearing in my left ear returned, and still remains fine. Think it was partly due to the after effects of a heavy cold. He incidentally told me to stop the tablets given to me in Buriram as they would not help.

As you say, private beats government every time.

Dont understand Nick.

Ekachon Buriram is a private hospital.

I think the point is that Korat is the next step up - and better service (for Nick's condition) was received there.


I think Aparasher's reservations about Prakhonchai hospital may be harsh - they could well have been far-sighted in diagnosing Nick with a Sexually Transmitted Disease when he really had Dengue Fever ! 

If I had wanted a MOR DOO, my wife could have found one in the village. - more than enough for everyone here!

[pablo]

I've not had the misfortune of needing medical care in Buriram as yet (knock on wood).

I've taken the GF and various family to several of the government hospitals (clinics) around the area though.  And I would say that they are really not much more than first aid stations, from what I've seen.  Anything more, or requiring a specialist, I would certainly look to a private hospital.

On the "ear vacuuming" procedure (555), I had a nasty ear infection that caused swelling and closed off the canal once, while in Phuket.  Saw an ENT at Phuket Bangkok Hospital, who examined and then vacuumed the ear.  He applied a topical antibiotic cream to the ear canal and inserted a drainage wick.  That, and some antibiotic pills... within 24 hours all was better.

Then, one rainy, drunken night in Pattaya...I slipped on some wet tile and fell through a plate glass door.  I hit it arms out front, and suffered a deep laceration just above the right elbow joint on the back of my arm.  Lots of blood and people freaking out...waiters with towels and the restaurant manager loaded me in a taxi for Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

In the emergence room at around 1:00AM, it looked like a MASH setting.  Dirty area, with discarded swabs, and blood etc. on the floors.  Kinda worried me about the possibility of infection.  After the ER doctor examined my wound, I had an X-Ray taken to determine if a tendon had been nicked or not.  Thankfully not, but I had to wait for over an hour for a proper "surgeon" to arrive.  They called him out from home, as the attending MD felt he lacked the skills to close the wound.

14 suture's on the inside muscle and tissue, and 22 suture's to close the hole...followed by an IV bag of antibiotics into my arm, and I was released.  That, with strict instructions for a return examination (daily) for a week.  They were worried about possible infection, as was I.  A dirty place in my opinion.

I bugged out (as planned) a couple of days later and went to Bangkok Hospital (in BKK) for a follow up exam.  What a difference in appearance.  So clean it looked like a picture.

Anyway, "blah,blah,blah" (sorry 555) yeah, anything more than a sniffle, and it's off to a private hospital.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

There are private hospitals and there are private hospitals

You basically get what you pay for!

[Surinexpat]

I think Aparasher's reservations about Prakhonchai hospital may be harsh - they could well have been far-sighted in diagnosing Nick with a Sexually Transmitted Disease when he really had Dengue Fever !

Maybe they know him or read this forum,then it would be understandable   

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Whether they know me or not (which they don't) they are just totally incompetent.

The Prakhonchai Government hospital is only good for dressing wounds, and giving Rabies shots following dog bites. Most cases are whisked off by ambulance to Buriram.  The locals who attend in their hundreds are fobbed off with packets of pills, with them never being told what they are suffering from.

[Surinexpat]

Whether they know me or not (which they don't) they are just totally incompetent.

The Prakhonchai Government hospital is only good for dressing wounds, and giving Rabies shots following dog bites. Most cases are whisked off by ambulance to Buriram.  The locals who attend in their hundreds are fobbed off with packets of pills, with them never being told what they are suffering from.

Are Thais ever told what they are suffering from or more to the point do they ever ask.Most are more than happy to have a few magic pills for free and go home in uneducated bliss.The Doctors expect us westerners to be the same 
But agree about local Hospital only being any good for the odd deep cut or dog bite,for anything else you do need a major provincial Hospital IMO 

[blue moon]

Whether they know me or not (which they don't) they are just totally incompetent.

The Prakhonchai Government hospital is only good for dressing wounds, and giving Rabies shots following dog bites. Most cases are whisked off by ambulance to Buriram.  The locals who attend in their hundreds are fobbed off with packets of pills, with them never being told what they are suffering from.

Are Thais ever told what they are suffering from or more to the point do they ever ask.Most are more than happy to have a few magic pills for free and go home in uneducated bliss.The Doctors expect us westerners to be the same 
But agree about local Hospital only being any good for the odd deep cut or dog bite,for anything else you do need a major provincial Hospital IMO 

Buriram hospital government or private.
Both have V.I.P. rooms, and both share the same doctors,only difference is you will pay about 75% less in the government hospital,see the same doctor and get the same medication.May take a little longer in the government hospital.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

As I wrote, the Doctor/surgeon who would have operated for the removal of my kidney stone refused to come to the private hospital, for even a consultation.

Whilst they do have private rooms at the government hospital (i believe 1000bt a night), how long does it take to first see a Doctor and get admitted?

Providing time is not a factor, I would now go to the Bangkok Korat hospital if needed, and have ensured my health insurance is sufficient to meet likely costs. They are the "dogs bollocks!"