The Willis Family Adventures: Singapore Healthcare

Our 2nd week and my first trip to the Doctor.

I have had a cough since we arrived here in Singapore and it was time to see a doctor. I think the hubby was tired of me waking him up every night with my extreme "barking". No joke, my cough sounded like a seal barking. It was not only annoying, but my chest hurt and my head hurt from coughing so much. We had already experienced the healthcare system when we took the hubby to the ER when we were here on our house hunting trip, but this would be slightly different.

So, I asked around and found a doctor that was easy to get to from Elliot's school. I got on the train and it dropped me off at Suntec. Suntec is a large office complex with 4 towers; shopping etc. on the first 2 floors and offices on the upper floors. (The hubby's office just so happens to be in Suntec One.) I walked in the clinic office and explained to them my problem. They took my passport and had me take a seat in the small, but comfortable waiting area. The waiting area was tiny actually. Bench type seating along one wall and 2 doors on the opposite wall for each of the docs working there. Ten minutes after sitting down I was called to go in to see the doctor. I told him about my cough and that I had it since I got to Singapore. After some discussion and him doing a brief assessment, he smiled and said that my condition was very common with Expats. They call it Sensitive Airway Condition. More or less, my airways were already compromised when I got on the plane (had a cold when I left) and the different air quality here was irritating my airways. The more my airways were irritated the more I coughed. Kind of like temporary asthma. My cough was worse when I got in a cab or when I was inside of a building. The only bad thing is that he said my cough could take up to 3 months to get better. Anyway, 15 minutes later I walked out of the doctor's office with 5 medications in hand. Medications are dispensed right there in the physician office - convenient! The total cost of this 25 minutes healthcare visit? $50 Yep, pretty easy and very cost effective! And, within an hour of taking my morning medicines I felt considerably better!

Now, I wouldn't be a nurse if I didn't critique this experience a bit.

First, the service was the best and the experience was great, but it was interesting that they didn't take my medical history. They did ask me if I had any allergies, but that was it. (That is one reason why it didn't take so long.) I think for some people that could cause some issues. They didn't ask me if I was on any other medicines nor if I had any other health issues. Humm, that could be scary! Luckily, I know enough to read up and understand things.
Another interesting thing is that they have different medications here. Not sure why that is; that would be an interesting thing to research. Many of the medications I received aren't prescribed in the US. I did go home and google my medications to find out more. At least we have the internet to be able to research.

Well, all in all my experience was good. Though, I would caution someone that has existing health issues to be aware of what medications you are prescribed here. You may have a contraindication that they may not have checked.

A few facts about Singapore's Healthcare System:

Ranked 6th in the World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems in the year 2000.
Has a universal healthcare system that ensures affordable healthcare
Has "one of the most successful healthcare systems in the world, in terms of both efficiency in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes," according to an analysis by global consulting firm Watson Wyatt.
Patients are free to choose providers within the government or private healthcare delivery system and can walk in for a consultation at any private or government clinic.
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well qualified doctors and dentists, many trained overseas.

Sounds like we are in a good place!

Till next time, I already have a bunch of other things to tell you about.