Job Discussion Forums

[jb0072009]

I know this has been discussed before but not lately. I have had this cough for a while and trying to find out what is causing it. I have now gone to 3 hospitals here to see doctors: 1)FV 2)Cho Ray 3) SOS. They are all jokes particuarly FV. They claim to be accredited yet only by a French company. They claim to have foreign doctors yet try to see one. They are not that cheap and the doctors there are mostly from Cho Ray. The only good thing is that the facility is clean and modern. The doctors still suck though, speak little English and they make many mistakes (like telling me I had heart disease when the doctor was looking at someone elses chart, telling me a test was negative when I found out 1 month later it was positive). Cho Ray is the same doctor wise even in the "foreigners" section and is nasty dirty. SOS is not really a hospital, just a clinic and very expensive ($150 to see a doctor). The doctors do speak better english but are just general practice, not specialists. If you need a specialist they take you to FV. Same for Columbia. I can not believe that I might have to go to Bangkok to get this properly diagnosed and treated.

[anubistaima]

Go to Bangkok. $150 to see a doctor at SOS is ridiculous. It will be cheaper to buy a ticket and see a doctor in Thailand. And the medical care will be 100 times better.

[Andy123]

When you are sick in Saigon you should always go to the hospital that specializes in your ill. Cho Ray is good for surgery and head injuries.

Anyone who is seriously ill is insane not to go outside the country for treatment.

I recommend you give the repertory hospital a try before BBK. Pham Ngoc Thach, Dist 5, Ngo Quyen St.

I have received remarkable treatment over the years when I went to the specialty hospitals and got a good Viet doc.

Good luck. I know it can be very frustrating!

[blateson]

FV Hospital is awful. Absolutely, the points made above are accurate, obviously from experience. The name is Franco-Viet, as though it were a foreign hospital, but it looks like the French staff left.

When I was in their "emergency" ward, it was packed full of local poor Viets, crowded in by families for each one ill patient. My arm was dangling at it's side, or in my opposite hand, from an accident I had. I checked into their desk, I couldn't get eye contact nor attention for an hour and a half after that. When I finally got into a room, there was another patient in there (so much for private). When I inquired about the potential prices, the doctor couldn't believe his eyes and ears and showed it on his face -- after that he gave me nothing but cold shoulder. When I was in the x-ray room, the technician must have been on his first day, kept twisting my arm around as though he were in a hurry. When the x-rays were done, the joke of a "doctor" asked that I come back tomorrow because the x-ray specialist (who would give me a reading) wasn't here today. Come back tomorrow??? Finally he just handed me the x-rays in a brown wrapping and begrudgingly said it doesn't appear your arm is broken. That's it! Pretty much implied I should get out of there. No bandages, no medicine, not even a smile or advice on what to do at home.

That's pretty much how the Viets are doing things in their country. They make a big building, pretty nice looking, put an Int'l "global" stamp of approval on it, then do things their way, to hell with the right way. Oh yah the place was expensive, 1.4 mil just for the x-rays... As for "Cho-ray", I've only walked through their "foreigner intake clinic" or whatever they called it. Was really narrow and crowded with too many lookers. Was hoping for a bit of privacy and personal attention (had a skin rash), instead felt like a chicken coop. The doctor wouldn't even shut the door when having a look.

[The Fat Rabbit]

I went into the Cho Ray hospital one time. I actually stood infront of the emergency desk for about 30-45 minutes. The people behind the desk decided not to make eye contact, even when i spoke vietnamese. Quite ridiculous. So, since I was in a rush, I left and went to the SOS clinic instead and had no issues whatsoever. This time, I met with a doctor from the Philippines. He diagnosed me correctly and prescribed the correct medicine. The second time I needed to go to a hospital, I went to the FV. They told me that I would be waiting a long time. Where they told me to wait did not look pleasant, so I left. I went to the SOS clinic and this time I saw a French doctor. She was great. Yes, the SOS clinic is ridiculously expensive, but both times i've been there, the quality was of equal quality to the health care in Canada, but only faster. As much as i can remember, the majority of the doctors at the SOS clinic are specialists. There were only a few general practitioners. I saw a doctor who specialized in something other than the specific problem I had. However, she diagnosed me, then called in the doctor who specialized in the kind of problem I had just to check on her diagnosis. I saw a doctor, then a specialist to confirm the original diagnosis. So, I would say that is decent health care just for a high price.

[The Fat Rabbit]

and if you want to get laser eye surgery, I can recommend that. I had it done for 15 million(both eyes) and can see crystal clear without any issues whatsoever. It's been about a year now since I did it and have had no issues at all. Then name is : Bệnh viện Mắt Cao Thắng on Tran Binh Trong Street District 3.

[jb0072009]

The 2 times I went to SOS the doctors were good and spoke english very well. The first is when I had a nasty GI problem that would not go away even after taking some medicines that the local witch doctor (what I call the pharmacists here because they require zero education) said I should take (I did check on Inet first to be sure they were safe). They did some standard tests (no blood) and he gave me a bunch of pills and a bill for $275! Did take care of the problem though. The second time was a little more complicated and required some lab work that they could not do. They took me to FV to have it done. They told me that they were not sure that I should go to Bangkok for more specialized care. Well I went back to the USA (was planning a 2week visit anyway)and the doctor figured it out after some tests and fixed me up. Bill from SOS that time was like $500. True they did call on the phone a specialist to consult. Bottom line is if you have a relatively easy or common problem SOS is a good choice but also very expensive. Otherwise I think BKK looks good. I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO FV. THEY TOLD ME A TEST WAS NEGATIVE WHEN IT WAS POSITIVE AND NOW I HAVE COMPLICATIONS FROM NOT BEING TREATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS. TOO BAD CAN NOT SUE FOR MALPRACTICE. Viet hospitals slogan: Patients check in but they do not check out!

[Jessica L]

jb007,

That's terrible of FV to miss a diagnosis like that.

When I went to FV I got a local doctor (allegedly trained in the West).

Victoria hospital is local but has a good reputation.

Yes, S.O.S. is very expensive. As well as the Doctor's clinic next to Diamond Plaza.

If you are unsure of what you have, getting second opinion is a good idea if you think it could be serious. You can get a second opinion for a decent price at a couple of local hospital in HCMC.

[mark_in_saigon]

Singapore has the highest standards, but probably a price equal to the west as well. Not as sure about the price issue.

[jb0072009]

Well SOS is even more expensive now apparently. I went there yesterday figuring it would cost less then flying to BKK. I was wrong. I saw a German doctor. Was charged $150 just to see him. He told me to bring back a sample and past test results from FV. I returned in the afternoon with that stuff. He then talked to me and called in another doctor. She was the head of medicine there. She ordered all kinds of tests including repeats of ones I had done at FV last week. This time I asked how much the simple blood tests (cultures) would cost. I was told $800. Well I told them they were crazy, that I could fly to the USA for that. I started to leave when they said I owed another $100. I said for what and they said for the other doctor coming in. That was absurd but I paid. Total $250 for nothing. They charge even more then in the USA which is really ridiculous. Well I have my ticket to BKK for next week. I will no longer get any health care done in this country. They are either incompetent or ridculously expensive

[Sgn Boy II]

For quality medical care at reasonable prices, I strongly recommend Vu Anh International Hospital in Go Vap.

http://www.vuanhhospital.vn/

I might not elect to have cancer treated here, but essentially the facilities and the staff are well prepared to handle most illnesses and injuries. Many of the doctors have been educated, worked, or trained overseas (America, Australia, etc.). Levels of English may vary a bit throughout your experience (reception, admitting nurse, doctor, etc.)...but still worth a visit.

Good luck and good health to all.