In Praise of Buriram Hospital

[dimple joe]

I just got home a couple of days ago, after 20 days in Buriram Hospital.

Like most farangs, I previously thought this would be a last resort and attended an appointment arranged by a private hospital following 4 days there.

The doctor decided I should be admitted and my heart sank; especially when I was given a bed in a corridor!

But wow! the doctors I met that first day were superb. The reception doctor, in her second language, instantly understood my problem with no waffle and in my corridor, the assessment doctor similarly clearly understood quickly.

The following days, every doctor I saw was nothing short of excellent, full of enthusiasm and filling me with confidence.

The Nurses were fabulous too, caring and gentle when required although some of the things they did to me, several of you would pay good money for....

The food was good, if you like Thai food, plentiful and regular.

It was a bit of a culture shock to realise that hospitals here only supply medical care and that families are expected to be in attendance 24/7 to supply all else, washing, feeding, clothing, bed making, toilet assistance ? everything!

Getting a private room was dependent upon my wife or someone being with me at all times.

The room was cleaned every day by three different cleaners and fresh pyjamas (sarong and top) along with fresh bedding arrived every day.

Everyone was kind and helpful, from the porters who transported me around in a wheelchair or bed  to the top doctors,

I honestly believe that any hospital in the UK would struggle to achieve the standards of excellence found here in Buriram Hospital.

Cost? less than half daily rate of private including all sorts of tests, cat scans, xrays, ultrasounds etc., etc.,

          

I had many visitors (thanks guys) including one from outer space - see attached pic

[Freddy]

Glad your out of hospital and hope we'll on the way to recovery.
Can I ask, was that the government hospital or the private hospital?

[dimple joe]

Government

[smoooth2]

DJ ........ excellent news that you're now back home mate. Hope to see you on the golf course sometime soon.

Re the photo. Something always seems to pop up when my missus sits on my lap   

[Starman]

Totally agree, Dimple Joe.

I have been admitted to Buriram hospital on 3 occasions. Most recently last May when I had dengue fever. It is fair to say that there is an over crowding problem hence the beds in the corridor. That will be rectified once the additional buildings are finished, which should not be long now.

All of the staff at the hospital are diligent in their work. Contrary to some beliefs I found the hospital to be very clean too.

What may not be know to some is that the Government hospital is by far better equipped than the private one. In fact I know of someone who was recently turned away from the private hospital and told to go to the government one. The reason was that the medical treatment that he needed could not be done at the private hospital.

I sometimes read alleged horror stories about hospital, particularly in Issan,with expats saying that one has to go to Pattaya or Bangkok for decent medical treatment. Makes me laugh.

In a nutshell I think that Buriram is truly blessed to have such a good hospital.

[Freddy]

That's interesting stuff. I may make some enquiries. Currently I is E the Bangkok Hospital in Korat for my ongoing medical condition. I can't fault the level of service bit it certainly isn't cheap and the amount I'm having to spend of late is becoming a concern.
Does anybody know if they have a good Neurologist there or are any other members being treated there for cardio vascular / stroke issues??

[iammike]

Nice to hear that you are back on your feet DJ !!

My SIL is undergoing cancer treatment at the Buriram Gov Hospital, the only thing that she complains about is NOT the Service but the LONG waits (they leave home at around 6:30 and she gets home at around 2-3pm), but that's expected with so many People visiting that Hospital.

@Freddy. Good Question, will be interested to know as well.

[dimple joe]

Starman - Spot on as usual, could there be other reasons guys choose Pattaya for medical treatment?

Freddy - Sorry, there were so many doctors visiting and running tests on me I'm not sure if there was a Neurologist among them or not, There probably was as I have heart failure etc., etc., Each member of the team was excellent and I kept thinking, where do they find so many bright enthusiastic people?

Iammike - Thanks, as an 'in patient' one of the things that impressed me was the lack of waiting time whenever I was sent for an Xray, cat scan or ultrasound - I guess this could contribute to the 'out patient' waiting times, so apologies to your SIL...

[iammike]

@DJ

Thx, and No need for apologies. I think you are right about the difference between inpatient and outpatient waiting times.

But after reading your story, I am willing to give that hospital a try.

[Freddy]

Really interesting thread this one and sorry DJ that this has come about as a result of you being unwell. If your condition is only heart related then quite likely you wouldn't have come in contact with a Neurologist.

I think this week or next I'm I will pay a visit and make enquiries and will report back. I believe that most specialists such as Neurologists, Cardiologists etc even If based at private hospitals or clinics are required to provide service to the government hospitals so in theory the level of expertise should be the same. The problem with that can be that they may not be on site and there is a delay. A while back I went to the private hospital in Buriram and they wanted me to have a heart echo Cardiogram. No cardiologist on site and had to go to his clinic in town. In my circumstances that was Ok but not great if I'd been in a serious heart related condition.

One thing to be aware of is that there is no MRI availability in Buriram and if that is required then a trip to Korat is necessary.

[Starman]

I believe that most specialists such as Neurologists, Cardiologists etc even If based at private hospitals or clinics are required to provide service to the government hospitals.

Usually the other way arorund, Freddy.

Doctors and specialists usually are fully employed by the government hospital and then moonlight at the private one.

[Freddy]

Fair enough. That's even better then.

Quick question. Just speaking to my wife and she is saying there is more than one government hospital in Buriram. I wasn't aware of that I thought there was only the private and the government ones over the railway track. Is there another ?? I want to go to the right one.

[iammike]

I think DJ is referring to the one that has that Multi Story Car Park and quite close to the Railway Station

I believe it's this one https://goo.gl/maps/N3ytUcKA4WD2

Correct Guys / DJ ??

[Starman]

Only one government hospital in Buriram town.

[Freddy]

Thank you both. Yes I thought there was only the one. No idea what she is on about.