CUTTING LOOSE
  • About Me
  • Travel Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer

Cutting Loose - Travel Blog

A Solo Female Budget Backpacker & Vegetarian travelling the World

Hospital Care Southeast Asia

20/10/2017

26 Comments

 
​Unfortunately my trip through Laos ended very abruptly, after a pretty bad Scooter accident on one of the very bad, rough and dirty roads in Laos, with a lot of wholes and puddles.
This post is not about the accident itself, but more about what to do if you are ever in a situation like this.
Let me tell you - it is NOT EASY! Especially travelling alone (this is the part where you wish a loved one or family member was with you, to not only help you figure things out, but for emotional support as well). Hope that the accident is not in the outback, far away from any civilization, in the middle of nowhere, because then you are screwed...

Click to Read More (Button Below Image)
Picture
Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand
​Which is unfortunately what happened to me. I was lucky enough to have someone with me for the day, who helped me out, brought me to the nearest nurse who at least cleaned my wounds and gave me pain killers to take away some of the pain (I was going through hell) and helped me sort out how to get back into civilization, which wasn't possible until the next day. Even the 'hospital' in Thakeh, the South of Laos, was nothing like what I would have expected or needed after such an accident. I needed x-rays, proper care of very bad burns and wounds, a wheelchair or crutches since I couldn't walk, a dentist to fix my tooth back on and so much more. It was a very basic 'hospital', two simple beds, a fan on the ceiling, dirty sheets from a bleeding person before that you were asked to lay onto.... Let me just say - not the place you want to be fixed up.
From the research I did and talking to different people, the care in all of Laos did not seem to be sufficient enough for the care I needed in this situation.

The choice I made was tough, but so worth it. I took my bags somehow (the mental strength you have when you are weak, in so much pain and can't even walk but know you have to do this), got on a bus (three buses to be exact and two taxis), arriving in Bangkok 22 hours later and in the middle of the night.

Bumrungrad Hospital was the best choice ever!! I can only recommend this place and only have amazing words to describe it!
I arrived in the middle of the night, being greeted by friendly staff and a wheelchair (FINALLY!) and taken immediately to the emergency room. They instantly started doing their work after checking things with my health insurance, and did what was obvious to me since day one. They went beyond what needed to be done, everyone spoke very good english and was able to explain all the procedures and what would happen now (in Laos, no one at the Hospital spoke English - try communicating and telling them what happened or what needs to be done). I was admitted to the Hospital and treated as an In-House patient for over a week (yes, that is how serious it was, which makes the superficial cleaning of only the wounds in Laos even worse), and taken care of so well. I was in the best medical hands I could be in, and was very grateful for that. Nurses who where constantly on call and always there, doctors who came twice or even three times a day to see me, being pushed in a wheelchair to anywhere I needed to go. It was a great Hospital to international standards, clean, sterile, amazing staff and doctors and all the equipment needed.

I was lucky to have such an amazing Health Care Insurance as well, that paid for every single thing (let me tell you it is expensive, but still cheaper than in Europe with, I must say, even better care than anywhere else I have been to or seen so far!). It is a very well known and renowned International Hospital and I can only agree and recommend it to anyone.

I hope all my readers are safe and nothing like this happens to any one of you, but if you need it, wherever in Southeast Asia you are (especially if you are in any of the less developed countries) this is definitely the place I would recommend to go!

Any questions, feedback or comments, let me know! Spread the word by sharing, liking or commenting!
Picture
Finally admitted to the Hospital days later...
Picture
The amazing view over Bangkok City from Bumrungrad Hospital
26 Comments
Nie Nie
15/12/2017 04:35:20 am

I am sure this must have been so difficult for you. My dad is an American currently living in the Philippines and he says the larger hospitals typically are better for care. I am just glad you were able to get the care you needed!

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:35:47 am

Thank you NieNie! It was extremely difficult, but I am glad to have made it through it and to have found such an awesome Hospital to take care of me so well!

Reply
This Epic World
15/12/2017 04:36:21 am

Thank God you are okay! I know many hospitals can be a little dodgy in Asia and I am so glad I came across this because before one travels, they hardly ever make a list of doctors or hospitals in case of emergencies. I think I'm gonna start doing that!

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:36:55 am

Thank you! I am very glad I got through that as well and am fully recovered now!
I know, I never used to look up hospitals or doctors up beforehand either, but it is definitely useful in an emergency like this!

Reply
Sheree
15/12/2017 04:37:35 am

Oh my gosh! It sounds like a horrible accident, I'm so sorry that happened to you, but thank you so much for sharing your experience! I'm a "worst case scenario" kind of gal, constantly thinking about "what would I do if the worst should happen", and reading things like this really reassures me. It gives me a mental "back up plan" should that worst thing happen. I'm sure I'll recall this recommendation if/when I need it, so I'm really grateful you shared. Hope you're all back on your feet and well again?! (And what a great case study on the importance of travel insurance, eh?)

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:38:30 am

Thank you Sheree! I am fully recovered and back on my feet again (still travelling actually!). I am glad this was helpful to you, that is why I wanted to share it. Showing how important travel health insurance can be and that you usually need it when you expect it least! Yes, always need a back up plan if a “what if” senario happens - which I don’t hope it will. Thanks for your love! Safe travels!

Reply
Jean
15/12/2017 04:39:02 am

Just a question you mention health insurance. Do you mean travel insurance? It’s a bit confusing as in Australia that’s two very different products. My health insurance would never cover anything that happens to me outside of Australia. Which is why I buy travel insurance with medical cover. My travel insurance would have assisted me in getting to the hospital as well.

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:39:25 am

Yes Jean, I mean travel health insurance. My countries health insurance would not cover any of this either, but the travel health insurance does, which is why it is so important to have that in cases like this!

Reply
Sherrie
15/12/2017 04:39:58 am

Omigosh, how horrific! This is probably the thing that scares be about traveling — the what if you get injured or deathly ill in a foreign country. Lucky you were able to get yourself to good healthcare! But holy smokes, not what you want to endure while traveling!

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:40:26 am

Thank you Sherie! Definitely not a situation you want to be in, believe me on that! But don’t let that stop you from travelling! Things happen in life whether at home or somewhere along the road. Unlucky it was so far away from home or any family and friends, but it makes you stronger as a person getting through something like this by yourself. I know now, I can get through most situations...!
Thanks for your love!

Reply
Leigh
15/12/2017 04:41:11 am

That sounds like quite an ordeal. It would be useful to know about your insurance, for others planning to travel alone to these areas.

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:41:42 am

Very true Leigh, I might write a separate article about the travel insurance I am with and why I consider it to be one of the best. I put a lot of research into this before my trip and compared so many different ones. I chose the best option for me which was ProTrip from Dr. Walter. Let me know if you want any more information on it and I will happily tell you all about it!

Reply
Christabel
15/12/2017 04:42:36 am

This is no way on the level of what you went through, but I had the nastiest sinus infection back in September after coming back from a week in the desert and remember feeling so alone and wanting to be back home in a familiar surrounding. So glad you were able to go to Bangkok and get the proper care you deserved - I spend half of the year in India and am thankful the city I live in has some amazing doctors and hospitals. Sending you positive thoughts!

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:43:29 am

Thank you Christabel, that is very sweet of you! Glad you were able to get good care as well and are back on your feet again. It is in those times we feel most alone and inclined to go back and just end the trip. I am glad I stuck it through and continued travelling once I recovered again. Definitely a very difficult thing to do so far away from home though!

Reply
Katherine
15/12/2017 04:44:20 am

Oh boy. That is one of my worst nightmares... getting into an accident while traveling abroad! Good thing you have an insurance. I've read a lot of personal anecdotes of how it's a must, it's great that you're sharing this experience with us.

P.S. I think that when renting motorcycles or scooters it's very important to know the road conditions in advance. I remember that a lot of foreign tourists get into accidents in El Nido as well, due to the rough road. Stay safe! :)

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:44:49 am

Thank you Katherine! I find it so important to talk about and to have an insurance in these cases!
I agree, it is important to inform oneself about the road and weather conditions in advance, but unfortunately this can change extremely quickly and a huge rain storm or wet or rough roads can come out of nowhere...

Reply
Kirstin | the tinberry travels
15/12/2017 04:45:38 am

Wow. Quite the experience! Stories like this really highlight how important insurance is. Amazing that you managed to make it Bangkok but definitely the right choice.

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:46:01 am

Thank you Kirstin! It was crazy, but Bangkok was definitely the best choice!

Reply
Kate
15/12/2017 04:46:27 am

Oh my goodness! What a horrible accident it must have been! I rarely get a travel insurance because I find it such an extra cost in the pocket but I guess, you never really know what's gonna happen and where it's gonna happen! Thank goodness that you were able to pull yourself together and find the appropriate healthcare! Be safe always and enjoy the rest of your travels.

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:46:56 am

Thank you Kate! Yeah a lot of people say that. I guess it is down to personal preference, for me it was really important to have it, not sure I would have been able to pay for it all from my own pocket without the insurance!
Same to you, stay safe always! x

Reply
Joanna Kalafatis
15/12/2017 04:47:52 am


I'm so sorry about your experience, I know what it's like to be so far from home and hospitalized, it's happened to me three times, twice in foreign contries! Thanks for sharing your story and giving this great advice though!

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:48:28 am

Thank you Joanna! Your stories must have been pretty crazy too. I am glad it is useful to you and others to read what happened and how to deal with it in foreign countries and where to go if something does happen!

Reply
Ania
15/12/2017 04:48:56 am

I'm so sorry to hear that you ended up in such a severe scooter accident! I can't imagine how difficult that 22 hour journey was. But it's great to hear that you had insurance and that you got the care you needed as soon as you arrived in Bangkok. Thank you for sharing your experiences about healthcare in Southeast Asia!

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:49:38 am

Thank you so much Ania! I don’t even know how I managed that 22hour journey to Bangkok!
Glad you found the information useful! Safe travels!

Reply
Emily
15/12/2017 04:50:21 am

Wow! What an intense ordeal for you to go through.

Reply
Jacqueline
15/12/2017 04:50:48 am

Thanks Emily, it was...!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Booking.com

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017

    Categories

    All
    Indonesia
    Laos
    Malaysia
    Singapore
    Thailand

    Booking.com
    Copyright © 2020 Cutting Loose, All Right Reserved
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About Me
  • Travel Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer