I have lived here for 6 years, and emergency medical care remains my greatest fear. There are a handful of good Doctors residing in Butuan.  All are hindered by the quality of modern facilities.  In essence, they function to stabilize crisis care for transportation to more modern facilities. This is the reality.  No deposit in cash-no care.  If you cannot demonstrate the ability to pay, ‘on the spot’, you will not receive care.  That said, precautionary care and networking with other Expats is of vital importance. As an aside, Medical Tourism is a burgeoning business in the Philippines, and there are world class hospitals in the major population areas.  So if you can keep breathing until you get to one of these areas, you will be in very good hands.  One of our local Expats had heart surgery last year in Manila and it went very well. But back to Butuan.  A couple weeks ago an Expat needed blood, so our network was able to find donors.  Without said network, we would likely have lost our friend.  The best advice is;

1. Get a physical by one of the local GP’s-they all speak English-and place copies of your medical files in their care. 2. Get a ‘PhilHealth’ card.  Possession of this card ensures trauma care.

Last year an Aussie was in emergency care and his wife did not know how to use his ATM card-so we stepped in and got the hospital some cash.  Folks, it is spooky, but it is the reality.  Communicating with other Expats is your best bet.