Job Discussion Forums

[Shroob]

As this discussion is veering towards Chinese hospitals, I'll pitch in with my account.

My best friend's girlfriend (both European) in China was scalded badly.
They called for an ambulance. It never arrived.
Their FAO called for an ambulance. It never arrived.
They took a taxi to the hospital. The hospital refused to help them.

They were accepted at the 3rd hospital.

The hospital had holes in the wall. She was the only female in the ward. No heating in the hospital. Sheets were never cleaned. There were no nurses (patients rely on family and friends to wash, feed, bring them things). Tests, tests and more tests.

[wangdaning]

Sounds horrible shroob, hope she is ok. I mean that honestly.

[dakelei]

As bizarre as this sounds I'm actually somewhat pleased that folks are at least half-agreeing with me and not calling me names for daring to point out just how bad the pollution is. For quite a long time I thought it was only a "big city" problem and kidded myself that it was not an issue in my little bumblef**k city. It honestly never even crossed my mind that my inability to shake this nagging lung irritation had anything to do with the air here. I've always been prone to nasty little lung infections but I've never had one last as long as the one I have now. Two trips to the hospital here haven't helped all that much. I honestly can't remember the last cough-free day I had. I'm sure there are places in China where the air is at least not "hazardous" but I'm just as sure they are in the middle of nowhere and not the kind of place anyone would want to bring 4 y/o foreign kids to.

To the OP: Maybe this pollution talk doesn't "scare" you but you chose to become a mother and you now have a responsibility to your kids. Please don't solicit advice here and then ignore it. If you're determined to come here to China, try leaving your kids with someone you trust at home for a while and coming here alone to get a feel for the place. You can always bring the kids over later if you think they (and you) can handle it. The best advice I can offer is "don't bring kids here." Just about every Chinese parent I speak with is determined to get their kid(s) out of here and, if they have the money and the means, themselves as well. There are things about this country I love and will sorely miss but I am simply too worried about my long-term health to stay here.

[twilothunder]

[twilothunder]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j_PrhRdQcEVsQhtaK2oGfM7l9lIA?docId=CNG.93971e32a44bac7c5d0de633253b42a1.3c1&hl=en

[rratliff]

No I am not ignoring the advice. But from people I know who actually lived in China, they never once complained about the air quality. In fact, it was never mentioned. They worked in medium sized cities, and the names have slipped my mind. Linking me brining my kids to child abuse, is a terrible analogy and instead is a great adventure for them to learn a different language like I was fortunate to do when my mother was stationed in Japan. I had planned on doing the JET programme but I missed the deadline.

As far as Tricare, I have already called and they in fact have several hospitals throughout China that either direct bill or pay a percentage and I get reimbursed. I've done ny research in regards to that. For childcare, I am in talk with an American wife who ahomeschools her children and would watch and do the same for my children.
We already use an air purifier in our home now because of my allergies.

But to stick to my original question, what are some ideal cities for us to go to? Thanks

[choudoufu]

[NoBillyNO]

[teenoso]

So , if you know the several cities that have tricare hospitals concentrate on these (as someone else said). Some cities have already been mentioned : Qingdao , Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Xiamen , all with developed economies.

There is no ideal city in China, but being close to the coast would help, with the air problem (kinda). If you are really adventurous , you could head for a less developed area like Guangxi.

I don't understand the outright hostility and personal attacks from folk here. As has been said, two years ago, air pollution was not on the radar, now people are outraged that you would think of bringing kids to China. It's an over-reaction, and baffling.

But, make sure you have adequate resources and a back -up plan if things go wrong, and the kids don't settle , or you are unhappy here .

Another thing, if you intend to home-school , you need child-care for when you are working , and I would question how much interaction the kids would get with the local people if they are home-schooled, but I am sure you have considered these things.

[vikeologist]

(Edited because my first try sounded unwittingly aggressive)

May I point out that I did answer your question. It's tricky to give anything more than generic advice on cities because there's a lot of (your) factors we don't know. There are a lot of cities. Actually in the past when people have asked for city advice, some clowns used to suggest some city that's the epitome of pollution.

I guess the reason that people don't complain is because we're like a frog in a slowly boiling pan of water. It's a sort of collective denial. Whether you think China is a safe place to live with regards to air pollution depends on whether you believe in science more than anecdotal reports.

I'm not interested in jumping on the bandwagon about your children. I've already said that there would be positives and negatives,, and it's for you to balance them, but you say you have allergies. Unfortunately being indoors in China is really not much better than being outdoors (according to someone I know whose job is this field), so you better be certain that air purifiers will work effectively in China.

Coming to China if you have allergies does sound a little bit like something you should reconsider.

However, life is full of challenges, and you sound like you're at least considering them. I can't blame you for not being immediately swayed by the over the top comments that you get on here.

[mambawamba]

@rratliff I PM'd you.

Once again as a mum with a young son here let's go back over these arguments once again, seems we go through this at least every couple of months.

Bringing a child to China is not tantamount to child abuse, that is total bull cookies. I'll repeat what I've said many times. Guys don't generalise, China is a massive country and experiences are not the same for everyone.

I absolutely agree that the air pollution is a massive issue and varies greatly from city to city. Buy good masks and use them. Stay indoors when the aqi is over a certain amount. Use precaution and be sensible.

Take a look at http://aqicn.org/map/ and see for yourself. To put it in real terms over 150 is a throat burning day. When it's up to 500 you just can't breathe outside your eyes are streaming and your lungs hurt.

I would add if you have allergies of your own look at the triggers and be aware that they may well be a whole lot worse here. Different triggers different people.

Listen to what these guys are saying, we're here on the ground and we, as NoBillyNo rightly says (and we don't often agree), look out of our windows and see what's happening.

My family and I love living in China but we also have to be realistic about our health, no amount of money could induce me to live in either Shanghai or Beijing, but at the moment we've had 5 or 6 stinking bad air days here in Qingdao this winter. That amount of time we can handle. If that figure goes up or gets worse then of course we'll pull the plug and get out, always have a plan B.

Mamba

[fat_chris]

[fat_chris]

rratlliff,

I think you have answered your own question. The cities that have hospitals that recognize Tricare insurance and which have direct payment agreements should be seriously considered (only considered perhaps). Cities in which you already know people who can help you and provide you with a support system as soon as you hit the ground running would also be best IMHO. Those cities would be the most ideal cities for you methinks.

Warm regards,
fat_chris

[Shroob]

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Civil discourse is encouraged and required on this board unlike other boards you may visit. A member has just become an ex-member because he obviously confused this board with ones that don't care about civil discourse. If there are repeats, please bring them to the attention of the Mod Team as soon as possible.