Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
^ totally agree... i did an internship at Aga Khan for 3 months and the quality of patient care (including infection control) is amazing.
but considering a simple mamogram costs Rs1500+, it is beyond affordable for most people :(
As i was in radiation oncology we had a few ppl who had previously worked in Shaukat Khanum and their experinces sounded prettey impressive too. Cant wait till theu open a branch in karachi (inshAllah)
Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
Health care issues are found among the developed countries as well. Living in USA and carrying a very good health insurance, I sometimes have to wait months to get an appointment with a specialist. I once suffered severe migraine pain and was out of medicines at the time so called my neurologist for an appointment and was shocked to find out that the earliest appointment I could get was in 7 months later. I told his office that I was miserable in pain and needed a refill of my prescription. They told me that they could not call the pharmacy for refill as my last visit to doctor was longer than a year ago. I then had to go to an internal medicine doctor and asked him to write me the medicines I needed.
Similarly at the emergency rooms, it generally takes 3-4 hours before you could see a doctor. At least in Pakistan, basic care in immediately available once you go to a clinic or hospital.
For a normal delivery on our baby a couple of months ago, hospital bill was $29K for two nights stay at the hospital and our insurance company paid the hospital $26K as per their negotiated rate.
Lastly, another ridiculous charge was $7000 when I stayed at the emergency room for 7 hours for some stomach pain. I was outraged to find out that my insurance company paid the bill fully.
Though we get quality care here but issues are associated with this care here too.
Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
Al shifa medical trust is a good option. They are pretty professional.
Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
just have one which bothered me - they don't wear gloves when taking blood from the patient and don't use hand sanitizers or wash their hands when doing so.
Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
just have one which bothered me - they don't wear gloves when taking blood from the patient and don't use hand sanitizers or wash their hands when doing so.
which hospital was that???
By the way, welcome back :-P
Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
Peace bro Iconoclast
I do agree it is the responsibility of the government. According to my sources i.e. physicians in Pakistan have said that reserves of general anaesthetics such as morphine have been severely compromised due to the gangsters making deals with people along the chain in getting supplies of it in order to manufacture drugs.
If this is true the government could begin by trying to snub out this business.
Also, in a specific Lahore hospital a really odd activity takes place other than sanitary issues. Here is the process:
1) Doctor writes prescription
2) Medicine is dispensed from the in-house pharma
3) Place medicine in ward cupbaord
4) Nurse comes to give medicine
5) Nurse takes a few pills away and the informs that the meds are finishing
6) Replaces the meds in the in-house pharma
7) We go to get med top ups and the whole process begins
If you do not keep an eye on the meds you will find the nurses give one dose and take a few doses back with them, either to sell on, or take or return to the chemist. We end up paying for the same meds twice or even thrice if you don't pick up on this peculiar activity.
Also, another pet hate of mine is that nearly every pregnant woman in Pakistan that has some money will be sent for c-section to have her baby. Women who have no dosh will be going through the normal birthing process or worse (country daiees). They are turning the med industry into a revenue stream ... and the lowest they can fall is with the babies delivering them artificially when there is no cause to.
Then you have all those GPs everywhere who are pharmacists who have got a bit too big for their boots. I had a form of dermatitis and this doc once in Pak dismissed it as scabies!!! Then I have seen with my own eyes that poor families kids are given used needles for pain killers. In the UK giving kids needles for no major need is a big no no, but then to go that step further ... A total culture change is necessary in the surgeries/hospitals in Pakistan.
Re: You Don't Want To Get Sick in Pakistan
Btw i prefer to get sick in Pakistan then in America :p