The steep price of health care

Last Tuesday, I had to rush somebody in my family to the Philippine Heart Center because he was complaining of headaches, dizziness and nausea.

We proceeded to the Emergency  Room of Heart Center upon the advise of a relative. We arrive at 11 AM and had him checked. The ER doctor asked us if he wants be confined and we agreed.

It took us seven hours before we could get a room. In those seven hours, we had to stay at the ER because there was nowhere else to stay. It was a sad and heartbreaking sight, I tell you.

I got to talk to one patient who has been at the ER since 6 AM of that day. She said she was on a wait list because all the rooms are booked. She said she came all the way from Lucena City upon the referral of her doctor. She was accompanied by her son. She also told me that a couple of patients have also been waiting since the day before, Monday.

I assumed that these patients are waiting for a bed in the charity ward. We were fortunate because we have the ability to pay and was able to get a semi-private room even though it took us seven hours of waiting. But what about these people, who can’t afford anything?

I also saw another elderly patient in the afternoon, who was wheeled in by her grandnieces/grandnephews. They wanted to confine their grandaunt for her pulmonary condition but was unable to do so because all the rooms–all kinds!–were still booked.

I overheard the grandniece saying that FEU General Hospital in Fairview, Quezon City was also booked and the only room available is the P4,200/day kind. She said they couldn’t afford it.

It was sad and heartbreaking because it takes so much to maintain one’s health. Hospitals and medicines are very expensive and not all people can afford healthcare. When I become rich, I’ll build a hospital or donate several rooms for the less-fortunate.

Side Topic: Make more memories with Enervon Prime

Have you seen the new Enervon Prime TV commercial? I first saw this on Facebook and it was an “awww….” moment for me.

My dad is 70 years old and I’m fortunate that his memory is still good. I can relate to this TV commercial because I dote on my father and think of him as the most decent guy I’ve ever known and will ever know. I hope you like this TV commercial just as much as I do.

Expect more chow time with mom!

Shop anywhere using your BPI Express Credit and get these for free:

* Free siomai (beef or pork) or free regular siopao for a single-receipt transaction of at least PhP1,000 at any merchant or in cash advance.

* Free Halo-Halo petite with 1 scoop ice cream, free meatballs congee, or free beef chao fan for a single-receipt transaction of at least PhP2,000 at any merchant or in cash advance

* Free breaded pork lauriat, free crispy fish lauriat or free braised beef rice toppings plus regular Del Monte Pineapple Juice for a single-receipt transaction of at least PhP3,000 at any merchant or cash advance.

Simply present your BPI Express Credit and submit your original charge slip at any Chowking outlet nationwide! Promo period is from May 1, 2009 to July 15, 2009. Redemption is until Sept. 15, 2009.

Side Topic: Notes about A(H1N1)

Again, I’ve been remiss in updating Pinay and Money. The recent issue about swine flu, officially known as Influenza A(H1N1) has left me monitoring the web for updates. As you can observe from my previous posts, not only am I interested in money matters but I’m also a health advocate.

Previously, I blogged that we should be extremely careful in looking for information about the disease. I listed several credible sources, where you can find the latest news and updates about A(H1N1). In the same line, CNN has also released an advisory, warning the public against taking non-conventional medicines that claim to cure A(H1N1) (see story here).

I chanced upon WHO’s Swine Flu Frequently Asked Questions. Please feel free to download the pdf file and share it to your friends (download here).

Side Topic: Caution in the time of swine flu

You must be overwhelmed with the amount of information that you receive from this swine flu outbreak. And why not? The Internet world is abuzz with blogs, online boards, twits, RSS, and feeds about this outbreak.

Some are informative like those from CNN, WHO, CDC. Others are amusing with blogs comparing the outbreak to Stephen King’s “The Stand” novel while others are just plain ridiculous, mouthing off conspiracy theories and doomsday scenarios.

I say, hold your horses. To guide and provide you with the facts, do refer to credible sources only. Please stop getting your information from websites that are not credible. For an initial list of credible sources, here are some websites that you can refer to for the latest update on the swine flu outbreak:

* CNN (Cable News Network)
* WHO (World Health Organization)
* WHO News on Twitter
* CDC (Centers for Disease and Prevention)
* Philippine Daily Inquirer
* GMA News
* DOH (Department of Health)
* ABS-CBN News

Side Topic: Prevent getting swine flu (or any flu)

By now, you have heard that the swine flu has affected Mexico, US and Canada while some countries like New Zealand and Russia have cases that are yet to be verified. To avoid getting the swine flu or any flu for that matter, it pays to go back to the teachings that we have learned from our parents and grandparents. Simply put, practice good hygiene.

Here are the tips of doctors on how to prevent getting swine flu (or any kind of flu or disease).

1. Wash your hands often with anti-bacterial soap and water. Some doctors say that you should sing “Happy Birthday” when washing your hands. The song indicates how long you should wash your hands. When the song ends, the hand washing ends, too.

2. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. As a courtesy, make sure that you cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing to avoid infecting others. Always have tissue paper (or hanky) ready and make sure you dispose of it properly. If you don’t have tissue or hanky, use the crook of your arm to cover your mouth.

3. Always bring your alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you happen to use your palms when covering your sneezing or coughing, make sure you disinfect your hands right away. Anything you touch may lead to infecting other people.

4. If you want to wear a mask, buy the N95 kind. All doctors agree that this is the best kind of mask to protect you against airborne diseases like swine/bird flu.

5. Protect your body. Regularly drink your vitamins (multivitamins and ascorbic acid) and always eat nutritious foods.

6. Stay at home. If you’re sick, stay at home. Enough said.

As the old cliché goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Side Topic: Make a pit stop at the Healthcare on the Road

Holy Week is fast approaching and I’m sure that most of Metro Manila residents will pack their bags and head to the province. Whether you’re traveling to your favorite summer destination or just going home to spend the Holy Week, make sure you check your car so that it is in tiptop shape.

But more importantly, check your health and your family’s to ensure that you stay healthy during the Holy Week. There’s nothing worse than a cranky child because he’s suffering from diarrhea or a whiny teenager because she left her favorite lotion at home.

On April 8 and 9, do drop by Unilab’s Healthcare on the Road, a health assistance program to families traveling via South Luzon and North Luzon Expressway. Just drop by Shell Muntinlupa (SLEX) and Shell Balagtas, Bulacan (NLEX) and avail of free medical check-ups and product samples. Unilab is giving out free Travel Health Kit so that families can enjoy their vacation without the worries.