Job Discussion Forums

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2016 6:33 pm Post subject:

SEVERAL INAPPROPRIATE POSTINGS WERE DELETED AND THE THREAD WAS LOCKED.

IT IS NOW UNLOCKED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ANY DERAILING AND/OR OFF-TOPIC POSTINGS WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY AND THE MAKERS OF SAME WILL NO LONGER BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS THREAD CONCERNS A SERIOUS TOPIC OF CONCERN TO MANY MEMBERS AND OTHERS. TREATING IT AS ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A MISTAKE THAT WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

PLEASE REPORT ANY AND ALL INAPPROPRIATE POSTINGS PROMPTLY TO THE MOD TEAM.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

An ethical issue and it also touches on the question of whether people should expect to return to their native land after years of absence and get medical treatment. This is not the case with me. I took up UK residence in 2010 and retired here in 2011.

I am sure it must be different in the US for example.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Yes, in my case, having settled long-term in Central Europe, my mindset has to be that the medical care here is my medical care.

We do sometimes hear horror stories here, but it's the same in the US. And I have long-term friends and family who have all had generally positive experiences with local medical care, with few exceptions.

I don't think I could flee back to the US and expect instant Obamacare to cover me if I were in need!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

For those in long-term EFL it is something worth thinking about. What will you do for long-term medical care. This is a particular concern if you develop a chronic condition - like Kidney Disease (CKD) requiring Hemodialysis.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

There's a poster who stated he/she has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but is applying for jobs in China, which has some of the worst pollution levels in the world. The poster was concerned about the illness showing up on the medical exam. Another teacher currently in Asia has type 2 diabetes and receives national health insurance. However, he/she needs some sort of medical procedure which isn't covered and will cost about $20,000 US out of pocket --- money the poster doesn't have. There have also been a couple of job seekers on the Saudi forum who plan to leave off their mental or physical illnesses on the med form in order to get approved for their visa.

These situations are different, but they raise questions about going abroad with known chronic health conditions as well as relying on whatever care is available -- covered or not.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I personally think that teachers heading out for what they expect or know to be relatively short-term gigs of just a few years shouldn't go anywhere they need to bend or break the rules. It's really not worth it.

I'd say it's one of the greatest values of Dave's overall, to warn the teachers like those nomad soul's talking about. At least they shouldn't go without considering the risks!

Settling somewhere long-term involves quite a lot of considerations, and local medical care is certainly among the most important!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

By the way, it's not hemodialysis, but I have spent numerous hours sitting with frozen vegetables on my knees over the past few days after a rather horrendous cycling accident on Saturday.
Local orthopedic specialist, here I come!! Brushing up on the local language needed to negotiate this event as well:-)

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Spiral
I would expect Health Care in one of the successor states to the Danube Monarchy to be civilised, if a tad bureaucratic. Did Kafka not earn his living as a clerk in the State Health Insurance Office in Prague ?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Civilised, and reasonably effective. I'm back to at least 90% full speed,thankfully!

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It will happen soon. I swear that I shall be REALLY grumpy for a whole day !

Kowloon · Joined: 11 Jan 2016 Posts: 133

Just catching up with this now. Hope you're feeling as well as can be Scot Smile

Interesting points above. Interestingly a number of retired TEFLers who have gained permanent residency in Hong Kong will often come back to take advantage of the free (subsidised I should say) health care such status affords them! For certain conditions the medication in particular is so expensive in their home country/where the retired that they find it cheaper to fly to HK and get as much as possible - make a holiday out of it at the same time!