My First Visit to a Thai Hospital

As I mentioned in “We’reBack,” a few days ago, I had a miserable cough. My sweet friend Crystal offered to take me to Bumrungrad, the hospital here in Bangkok. As you could understand, I was a little nervous about my first trip to the doctor in another country. Not anymore. I’m not joking when I say that my whole experience at Bumrungrad was more like a spa resort than a hospital. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, everyone caters to the sick patient (imagine that). Crystal took me to register.

They check you in and ask you what kind of doctor you need to see. We went to the floor for general care. I was served hot tea and water as I waited for my name to be called… which was five minutes. I was called to be weighed by a nurse. She asked me to take off my shoes, and I thought she said "shirt." This was awkward for a few minutes.

Then I was taken to see the doctor who (get this) was sitting in a room waiting FOR ME. This is not a joke. She diagnosed me with the ever-popular bronchitis. Then the hospital processed my prescriptions for me. I just stepped outside, waited another five minutes, and they gave me all my prescriptions. No need to visit a separate pharmacy or wait again. I also paid my total bill here, which let’s just say is much cheaper than a US Kroger clinic… even before insurance. The staff was eager to do whatever they could to make the sick patient more comfortable. 

I have to recount this embarrassing story: I had a terrible coughing spell as the pharmacist was explaining my prescriptions. I thought Crystal was going to have to take me to the ER. And, they made me wear a mask. Now I know how the H1N1 people felt: Could someone hand me a bell so I could also shout “unclean” please? The people in our elevator never wanted to get off so fast! Thankful for my friend for enduring it with me.

After our appointment, Crystal took me on a tour of the pediatric unit. Wow. It looked like a scene from Disney World. The doctor’s offices are little villages with roofs over each door. The “well baby area” has a huge playground with a twisty slide. Obviously, it’s not the look of the place, but the quality of care that is most important. Crystal assured me the doctors here are the best and Tobin has always gotten excellent care.

She also took me to the OBGYN ward. She personally had an awesome delivery experience here, but I was still skeptical until I actually saw the delivery ward.

A few weeks ago, I met a missionary woman from Nepal who travels with her family all the way to Bumrungrad in Bangkok to have her babies (She was set to deliver her third). Now I see why.  I have no fears about delivering here if God would give us another Baby Mac in Bangkok (hopefully still a long time away). Crystal also told me she personally spoke with her doctor multiple times during her pregnancy. Who gets to do that?

People from all over Asia come here to get great care. I am so thankful God has given us this hospital and the ability to afford it (Thank you Lifepoint and the people who gave to the Sending Campaign for giving your missionaries insurance). We are very blessed because of your generosity.

Update: I am feeling much better and we are all sleeping better since the monster cough went back to her cage.