Rob and Anna's travel adventure

My View - Affordable Medical Care [Rob´s India Entry (#10)]

Rob's Entry

Had a slight situation develop here in India. Actually, I think it may have started while cycling in Europe this summer- probably lifted my heavy bike while turning/twisting, and injured my back. I won't bore you with all the dull details, but suffice it to say that it was a minor, on/off pain, that wouldn't go away. I had planned on seeing someone overseas to keep this information out of any medical/insurance databases (only to be denied some sort of coverage in the future), and the time had come.

Seeing a doctor in a foreign country is like many things- a hassle. You have to chase one down (hopefully via a personal referral), schedule a visit, etc. So I was referred and went to the Bombay Hospital.

Oh, someone could see me immediately- no problem. Well, one problem, they wanted about $40 for an initial consultation. No, this can't be, we are being charged the foreign rate, or some other form of gouging. Well, there were alternatives (about time...). The out-patient clinic was closed for the day, but I could come back tomorrow morning and see someone then. The other option was a free clinic down the street.

Since we were already in the area, we checked out the free clinic. Unfortunately the specialist doctor had left for the day, but would be back in two. OK, so then the next day I went back to Bombay General, and after a certain amount of disorientation got 'into their system' and saw a doctor. Then another. Then it was decided that all I needed was some physical therapy, off to another doctor for PT training. The bill.... first two doctors were seen for 10 rupees total (about USD$0.25), and the PT training was a gouging (though I think that was the actual charge) 100 rupees (about USD$2.50). Was also prescribed some medication, that came to about $8.50 (three prescriptions). The PT did wonders, and am much better now.

With nothing but a little time to lose, I visited the second doctor at the free clinic. He agreed with the others that nothing major was wrong and wrote out a prescription (similar medications to the first). That visit only cost 5 rupees (about 15 cents), and the medicines were free. Overall, I think better value was received from the more expensive visit (25 cent one) as the PT has really done the trick, but the other was cheaper and included free meds. Oh well, pays to get a second opinion.

As a side note, there was an Australian in the hospital at the same time as I. He was being charged some ridiculous price ($130) to have a dressing changed (some leg injury). I explained that he needs to go through the out-patient thing (we were standing right there), and if price was an issue, there was the free clinic nearby. It seems that price was only one factor, he was very distressed by the hygiene of the hospital (he said "the place is filthy"). Granted, by western eyes, it was a bit of a shock, but I'm thinking of battlefield treatment- lives are saved in the most basic conditions, as long as the wound is clean. And I didn't care, as long as the doctors were knowledgeable as nothing was being opened up on me, but his reaction was extreme. I had a series of injections in Nicaragua, they had new sterile needles- no problem. As long as the business ends of things are clean, I don't think there's too much to worry about, at least under ordinary circumstances.

Those are my kind of prices! Not everyone needs an MRI, CT scan, and all sorts of testing. I think many tests are performed because someone has the equipment, not because its really needed. Of course all these tests have a time and place, but when at the mercy/trust of someone who can send you to the poor house, good judgment has to prevail.

posted by Rob and Anna @ 6:46 AM