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travelkat
Joined: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject: Valid Health Ceritficate |
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| Is this just a routine physical? Can I use documentation from my last doctor visit in the States? What would prevent one from passing? Is it just AIDS and STDs they are concerned about? Basically I�m wondering if my Type 2 diabetes would prevent me from getting a health certificate. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:03 am Post subject: |
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Theoretically you can do the medical tests overseas. I personally have done this, but I wouldn't recommend it. The system for the health check is well set up in Taiwan and relavtively cheap too. If you do it here you know that everything will go smoothly.
The problem with tests done overseas is that first off the government may not recognize those results. The next problem would be ensuring that the appropriate tests are done. If you were seriously considering getting the tests done overseas then I would advise that you try to get a hold of the Taiwan certificate document which is in English and Chinese and having your doctor work off that to ensure that all bases are covered. The final problem with doing tests overseas is that they may be rejected if they are entirely in English.
I realize that you are asking about the applicability of a test that you have already done. I would recommend that you bring it, as it might be acceptable, but you should probably expect to have to do it again when you get here.
The initial test has changed recently but includes general physical elements, blood test for AIDS, hepatitis etc, urine test for drug use, chest x-ray for tuberculosis or other lung afflictions. The test does vary somewhat depending upon where you go for the test so the experiences of others may vary from the above. Tests for subsequent years have been scaled back such that a urine test is no longer required.
As to your question about diabetes, I am unsure of the answer. I don't believe that they test for diabetes, but there is a section of the test where you need to tick boxes about your general health. If diabetes is one of those boxes (I can't remember if it is) then you would need to choose whether to tick it as they may accept it anyway, or not tick it and hope that they didn't find out.
Let's see what others say as there may be someone here who has diabetes and has been through the system. If so they may contact you privately by PM. |
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teacha
Joined: 25 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:04 am Post subject: Re: Valid Health Ceritficate |
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| travelkat wrote: |
| Is this just a routine physical? Can I use documentation from my last doctor visit in the States? What would prevent one from passing? Is it just AIDS and STDs they are concerned about? Basically I�m wondering if my Type 2 diabetes would prevent me from getting a health certificate. |
Is it routine? NO
Can a US check work? NO, despite the hypotheses that many espouse, it won't be accepted--even from a public US hospital.
What would fail you? AIDS, Drugs in the bloodstream, weird illnesses like mungbean fever or something (I forgot the name), Syphilis, and Hepatitis. They won't know about the diabetes unless you tell them and I wouldn't, it's not listed on the reasons for barring you though. Herpes can't be tested for in the blood cause it resembles the mouth herpes virus too much, the only drugs they test for NOW are meth and smack. Ask me whatever else you want to know. And don't EVER go the Renai/Jenai hospital. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:33 am Post subject: Re: Valid Health Ceritficate |
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| teacha wrote: |
| Is it routine? NO |
It is very much a routine physical. What makes you suggest that it isn't?
| teacha wrote: |
| Can a US check work? NO, despite the hypotheses that many espouse, it won't be accepted--even from a public US hospital. |
I know that you are wrong on this as I personally have done it. As I said in my earlier post I wouldn't recommend it, but it is most certainly possible. It is however cheaper and easier to just do it here in Taiwan.
| teacha wrote: |
| They won't know about the diabetes unless you tell them and I wouldn't, it's not listed on the reasons for barring you though. |
That's a pretty strong statement that I don't know that I agree with. Please post your source that shows that he can't be banned for having diabetes? I am not saying that he would be, but I certainly wouldn't go as far as you to state that he won't be unless I knew this for sure. Afterall, if he believes you this guy could come all the way to Taiwan and get rejected because of his diabetes so I hope for your sake that you are right. Please post your source on this so that we can all confirm it.
| teacha wrote: |
| Ask me whatever else you want to know. And don't EVER go the Renai/Jenai hospital. |
I would actually recommend Renai Hospital in Taipei, and not just to oppose Teacha. In my opinion Renai is one of the easier hospitals to get to and the process is all clearly laid out with a map of the relevant parts of the hospital showing you where to go for each test and instructions in English if I remember correctly.
I have been to other hospitals on the governments list of approved hospitals and have found them to be more chaotic which is ok if you speak Chinese or are accompanied by a Chinese speaker, but at Renai you can do the whole thing easily without speaking a word of Chinese. |
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markholmes
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 661
Location: Wengehua
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:33 am Post subject: |
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| I've been to Renai three times. It seemed ok to me. |
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teacha
Joined: 25 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:21 am Post subject: |
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The initial test has changed recently but includes general physical elements, blood test for AIDS, hepatitis etc, urine test for drug use, chest x-ray for tuberculosis or other lung afflictions. The test does vary somewhat depending upon where you go for the test so the experiences of others may vary from the above. Tests for subsequent years have been scaled back such that a urine test is no longer required.
Wow, I never even read your reply Clakeey,that's funny...Anyway what's the deal on the urine test??????????? They stopped that like more than a year ago I thought, My last health check was in the spring and there was no urine test at all. What's this new change you speak of. Any others? Do tell, do tell. |
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teacha
Joined: 25 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:22 am Post subject: |
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| markholmes wrote: |
| I've been to Renai three times. It seemed ok to me. |
Ar you crazy? It was filthy and horrendous. What are your standards? My GOD! It was 2nd world, not 3rd world. |
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teacha
Joined: 25 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:36 am Post subject: Re: Valid Health Ceritficate |
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| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
| teacha wrote: |
| Is it routine? NO |
It is very much a routine physical. What makes you suggest that it isn't? The things they test for are not done here in a routine physical, like exotic diseases, drugs, exrays....
| teacha wrote: |
| Can a US check work? NO, despite the hypotheses that many espouse, it won't be accepted--even from a public US hospital. |
Call BOCA in NYC and ask them, I have and they consistently say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Same is true for several schools I asked. HESS claims its doable though. But they lie about lots of stuff.
I know that you are wrong on this as I personally have done it. As I said in my earlier post I wouldn't recommend it, but it is most certainly possible. It is however cheaper and easier to just do it here in Taiwan.
| teacha wrote: |
| They won't know about the diabetes unless you tell them and I wouldn't, it's not listed on the reasons for barring you though. |
That's a pretty strong statement that I don't know that I agree with. Please post your source that shows that he can't be banned for having diabetes? I am not saying that he would be, but I certainly wouldn't go as far as you to state that he won't be unless I knew this for sure. Afterall, if he believes you this guy could come all the way to Taiwan and get rejected because of his diabetes so I hope for your sake that you are right. Please post your source on this so that we can all confirm it.
My source is that they don't CARE TO CHECK FOR IT, so it's not a Gov't sanctioned perameter, ya dig? SO if I have big old oozing *beep* herepes, they won't ban me for it cause they neve rlooka t my peney nor do they test for it. So there ya go!
| teacha wrote: |
| Ask me whatever else you want to know. And don't EVER go the Renai/Jenai hospital. |
I would actually recommend Renai Hospital in Taipei, and not just to oppose Teacha. In my opinion Renai is one of the easier hospitals to get to and the process is all clearly laid out with a map of the relevant parts of the hospital showing you where to go for each test and instructions in English if I remember correctly.
EZ yes, Cheaper yes, MODERN AND WESTERN standards of exams and sanitation, no!!!!!!!! It has plastic garbage bags stapled across wooden yardsticks for the glass of the nurses' station and they are not even seamed together there's spaces between them and they flap in the breeze....that's a nice 1st impression. They have filthy floors and corners. The eye exam machine is from the 50's or 60's, blood is sampled in a room of numerous coughing people and so too is the other steps carried out. people lay their arm down on a pillow and get blood drawn, the woman before me had everything under the sun, it was gross....THE NURSE WORE NO GLOVES, AND PUT A COTTON SWAB OVER MY BLOOD/NEEDLE MARK BARE HANDED.......and on and on..it was like a G.I. JOE scenario...A total horror...The scales and eye machines etc. were not cleaned between patients so if the person beofore you had Hepatitis or worse, or athlete's foot or worse fungi (scale) you may get it too.
I have been to other hospitals on the governments list of approved hospitals and have found them to be more chaotic which is ok if you speak Chinese or are accompanied by a Chinese speaker, but at Renai you can do the whole thing easily without speaking a word of Chinese. |
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markholmes
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 661
Location: Wengehua
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| It was 2nd world, not 3rd world |
What does that mean? It wasn't that bad after all? |
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teacha
Joined: 25 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:54 am Post subject: |
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| markholmes wrote: |
| Quote: |
| It was 2nd world, not 3rd world |
What does that mean? It wasn't that bad after all? |
No, it means I made a mistake, I meant it was 4th world but I wasn't accurate in my analogy. It was that bad, I assure you, it was gross. |
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Girl Scout
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Inbetween worlds
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 3:38 am Post subject: |
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| Two different teachers I worked with both had diabetes and were taking daily insulin shots. They were not barred from getting their ARCs. |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 3:50 am Post subject: |
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In most cases the test is just a formality required by the occupational government to increase revenue for local hospitals. Hence why test done abroad are not generally accepted.
There was a new, unofficial decree last year requiring that the medical test be done every year by all non Chinese residents on Taiwan.
A Non Chinese University professor threatened to support the formation of a Labor Union and the occupational government balked.
On Taiwan you get what you pay for and that includes medical treatment and test.
Good luck!
A. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Valid Health Ceritficate |
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Teacha you have really got to get a hand on how to use the quote function if you are going to try and use it. It isn't really that difficult. I think that it is hard to believe that we should be taking advice from someone who cannot even work out the quote function on a message board!
| teacha wrote: |
| The things they test for are not done here in a routine physical, like exotic diseases, drugs, exrays.... |
Let's see. The medical involves a simple physical check - eyesight, weight, height, physical abnormalities, pulse, blood pressure and a simple questionairre about heart disease and the like. Seems pretty routine so far.
The you go on to do a urine test (in most cases) which tests for drug use. Again pretty routine stuff.
Then a blood test for HIV and hepatitis, bit of which are infectious diseases. Again pretty routine.
Finally a chest x-ray for tuberculosis. Admittedly I don't think that tuberculosis would be considered by a standard test of a local citizen applying for work back home, I don't think that the chest xray really qualifies as being 'exotic'.
| teacha wrote: |
| Call BOCA in NYC and ask them, I have and they consistently say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Same is true for several schools I asked. HESS claims its doable though. But they lie about lots of stuff. |
So let me get this right. You don't know yourself as you have never done it, so you are relying upon what you were told?!!!
Have you not learned yet that the staff at Taiwan TECO offices worldwide are on the whole out of touch with what happens here. Yes, that is a sad fact, but it doesn't detract from the fact that they are wrong.
A school that employs probably more foreigners from overseas than any other school in Taiwan tells you that it is possible.
And I tell you that I have personally done it, and you still want to try to argue that it is not possible!!!?
| teacha wrote: |
| My source is that they don't CARE TO CHECK FOR IT, so it's not a Gov't sanctioned perameter, ya dig? SO if I have big old oozing *beep* herepes, they won't ban me for it cause they neve rlooka t my peney nor do they test for it. So there ya go! |
Hello. Hello. Earth to teacha!
We are talking about diabetes not herpes!
Anyway, it seems that Chris has confirmed that there are teachers working here legally who have diabetes so that looks like a positive answer for the OP.
| teacha wrote: |
| EZ yes, Cheaper yes, MODERN AND WESTERN standards of exams and sanitation, no!!!!!!!! |
Renai hospital is fine. As someone who lived in Mainland China for years I can assure everyone that the hospital system is far from third world quality. It is not up to western standards in some regards, but overall I believe that the hospitals here are pretty good.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| In most cases the test is just a formality required by the occupational government to increase revenue for local hospitals. |
If that were true Aristotle then how do you explain the fact that the test procedures have been simplified and the costs to the foreigner reduced. Surely, if as you suggest, it was all about revenue raising then the costs would go up and there would be an addition of superfluous tests to benefit revenue raising.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| Hence why test done abroad are not generally accepted. |
The main reason that tests from overseas can be a problem is that those tests may not cover everything that the government here requires. Tuberculosis test for example. I don't think that this would be done in a traditional health test back home and if you didn't know this then you would either need to redo the test, or get the chest x-ray done in addition to the test you already had. It is not that the authorities here are being unreasonably obstructive, it is just much easier to follow the established processes.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| There was a new, unofficial decree last year requiring that the medical test be done every year by all non Chinese residents on Taiwan. |
That is kind of misleading.
Yes there were changes that affected some foreigners but they didn't really affect foreign teachers. Foreign teachers on ARC's have always been required to have a valid medical certificate in order to renew their work permit and ARC. |
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mep3
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:33 am Post subject: .. |
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| Do any of you happen to know whether blood pressure or heart rate issues would cause a problem with the visa? I've had some high blood pressure and heart rate readings (also some normal ones). I'm not overly concerned about it from a health standpoint; when I've had them, I've asked the doctors if I needed any medicine or treatment, and they've said no. I just keep an eye on it. Nonetheless, technically I do have a diagnosis for my heart rate even though it doesn't require any treatment. Thx .... Mep |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:41 am Post subject: |
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| mep3, I recommend you keep posts dealing with the same issue in a single thread. I'm pretty sure none of us are going to be able to tell you definitively whether this will be an issue or not. We're not really qualified and don't really know everything about your condition. We can only speculate. I tend to believe that it will not be an issue as doctors you've consulted have not elected to treat it. That means, as far as I know, that your problem isn't serious. If you get a high reading during a health exam here, they will retest you. |
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