Pay through your nose or Pay with your health?

I recieved an sms in the early morning that one of my sibling was hospitalised in a garmen hospital for suspected appendicitis and that he would be headed into the operating thearter soon (7.30am).

I quickly did some research online and found out the symptoms that he had and also the different surgical procedures possible for it. And it appears that laproscopic surgery is less invasive and allows for faster recovery. (having done a few lap & one open wound surgery, I can vounch for the faster recover & less invasive part).

So I sent my bro an sms to suggest for laproscopic surgery for his condition if possible because he was concern with the recovery time (doc told him that he'll be on 2weeks MC). So not willing to be on MC for such a long time despite that fact that open wound surgery for appendicitis is "common" procedure (commented by Dr. E), my bro enquired about the possibility of laproscopic procedures in the garmen hospital.

Dr. E's first response to our Question of the difference in the 2 mtd of surgery was there was little difference in the recovery from the two surgeries, because, in open wound, you make one big hole sufficient to put at least 2fingers into the gut, whereas in laproscopy, you make a FEW holes. So you will still be hospitalized for 2-3days before you are discharged. Therefore no difference. He held the same opinion after I showed him the IMPOSSIBILITY of "NO difference in recovery" with my 5inch wound from an open surgery plus the higher risks of infection and the post-op condition of Adhesions. Dr. E started to repeat his words and did not provide further new information to both of us.

I only wanted to ensure that my bro's recovery is as painless as possible, if laproscopy is the way to go. Then why not? right?

Thereafter, Dr. E mentioned that he can try to arrange for a laproscopic surgeron to do that procedure in the garmen hospital, but he is not sure when that will happen (this is after 6hr of pure pain in the abdomen)

Bro decided to head out to the private hospitals and get it fixed faster as the pain was increasingly unbearable.

As soon as we decided upon that option, Dr. C came in to explain that laproscopy was only available to the higher class patients (my bro C class, not eligible for it). So if we upgrade his bed status, then he can get a lap done.

INTERESTING scenarios isnt it?

By then, my bro decided to be discharged from the garmen hospital to go to the private hospital for a faster surgery which is less invasive.

only ter we found out that the estimated cost of the surgery could be $8k!! Our hearts skipped a beat.

What would you chose if you are in the position to make a few changes?

food for thought....

1. upgrade all ur general surgery staff's knowledge to give a balanced view, I would gladly respect Dr. E if he explained his shortcomings in understanding laproscopic procedures or the cost of it would be extra due to the extensive equipment involved.

2. why would the hospital provide two different surgerical procedures but only for certain class of in-patients? Does it mean that lower classes of inpatients should NOT be given the BEST medical care?

3. with the standards of medical care that we have here.... are we really paying good value with our money? I recall my mum spent 10days in a private hospital in Bangkok for a stroke, with two MRIs, 10days in a A ward in a private hospital, the bill came up to less than $4k.... So why are our neighbouring countries providing cheaper healthcare than us if most of our nursing staff are foreigners?