Job Discussion Forums

[philbags]

It's a crappy time for posting this, but I'm sure i'll be forgiven for my timing by those who were as close as I was to a dear friend who passed away having been admitted to hospital on the night of 2(7th?)May.
There have been too many incidences like this for us to overlook the need to be properly protected against disease and accident in a country where you might well be exposed to the possibility of both on a fairly regular basis. I am not calling into question the insurance policy of the school she worked for, I just feel that this tragedy throws something to light that has to be scrutinized carefully.
Elsewhere, it has been stated recently that a certain infamous chain school was prepared to risk it's teachers' safety by having them cared for in the public wards of a general hospital.This may be acceptable to you, it may not, but If you are coming to Indonesia on a first time contract with a school you're not sure about, be certain that there is an adequate evacuation policy, and that your school is prepared to act in your best interest regardless of cost should you become too ill to be able to make your wishes clear.
If you have your next of kin sign a waiver with your embassy or consulate, they will also be able to legally step in on your behalf. I am saying this because I have first and second hand experiences of hospitals in Indonesia which are positively scarey. There is an ethos of experimentation, overcharging of westerners and needless operation in many hospitals and what could be generously called conflicting ideas of diagnostic practice. The better reputation schools all have decent medical cover as far as I'm aware.
Just be sure and check.

[malu]

My school uses Allianz to insure expat staff. According to those who have needed treatment in the past this has worked pretty well.

At the other end of the continuum I'd advise against anyone taking out one of those super duper 'expat' packages that charge expensive premiums to cover cheap treatments like a few antibiotics to cure a dose of the trots. Better to pay for day-to-day stuff yourself and use the insurance to cover hospitalisation (in a nice hospital) and expensive outpatient treatment.

The only time I needed to go to hospital in Indo I used the Siloam Gleneagles at Karawaci and found it very professional. I have visited a public ward - allegedly one of the better class of wards - and it was a rather Dickensian experience.

[KCA420]

edit

[Llamalicious]

Sorry to hear about your friend, philbags.

[laughing_magpie06]

A very good friend of mine also died while on her first contract in Jakarta and this showed me the cold, disheartening nature of the local managers towards their 'bule' teachers. I will never forgive them for what they did in that situation. They never even gave the teachers the chance to farewell her.