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.
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i had just finished a 5 days training sectoral unit and i represent the tourism sector. As Vice- President for tourism (but. cham.)I was nominated by the Butuan Chamber to represendt the sector. The said training is sponsored by the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation (Geman Ministry) with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The initial purpose is to provide capacity development for the chambers in Visayas and Caraga to be able to maintain our function as the voice of business sector. This project is called WE CAN Visayas and Caraga. WE CAN provides technical assistance, like training and consultancy, strategic planning, leadership and management training and skills training in different fields through partnership with the business chamber.
I think medical tourism is one sector of tourism that we can improve and develop, aside from food, adventure, culture and heritage, education, entertainment and performing arts,real estate, transportion and etc. The unit sector will be the one to define present issues, problems and potentials brainstorming. and later find solutions, resolutions, and make action plans .