Bronchitis

[TotallyOz]

I have had it recently. It knocked me on my ass. I woke up one morning and was sick as a dog. Fever, chills, body aches, coughing, etc. I went to the hospital and got antibiotics and other meds. They take a few days to kick in.

 

I have had many Farang friends with the same thing. I have also met at least 10 boys who have the same thing except they didn

[Guest catawampuscat]

Literally dozens of farangs and Thai boys are suffering from bronchitis currently and many

think it has something to do with the very heavy rains this rainy season.. It seems to last at least

5 days and in some cases much longer and this is with hospital/medical attention..Some of the

boys have been sick for weeks and don't have the means or the mentality to seek proper medical

attention and rely on the cheap drugs available in some pharmacies..

 

I hope GT and all the others get well soon and this bronchitis episode passes...

[Guest namjai]

..Some of the

boys have been sick for weeks and don't have the means or the mentality to seek proper medical

attention and rely on the cheap drugs available in some pharmacies.. "

 

 

That is rather cold blooded...and just what would you do if you had the same income as some of the boys?

[Gaybutton]

First, the boys would need to even realize they have something wrong beyond just a chest cold and that whatever it is requires medical attention. To get medical attention, isn't it possible for them to go to a hospital under the 30-baht plan? I'm really not sure how that works, but isn't that what the plan is for?

[khaolakguy]

Lady of the Manor

 

 

[PattayaMale]

I am not sure, but I have been told that to be eligible for the 30 baht plan an adult Thai needs to be part of what some call "social security". In othe words they must be paying income tax. Maybe someone else has better information.

[Guest Hedda]

No, the social security system here, which is quite limited, is not connected to the 30 Baht health care system and one does not have to pay income tax to qualify for the 30 baht system.

 

Most boys in Pattaya have ID cards from Issan or the north and they cannot usually obtain medical care in other provinces like Chonburi using the 30 baht system. They have to go home to do that, and many live far away from major hospitals at home.

 

There have been moves to correct that situation, but I suspect it's one way the government has to control the mass uncontrolled migration of rural folks to city areas.

 

Even if impoverished Thais could use the 30 baht system in other provinces, they have to find a participating hospital or clinic. Many major hospitals and small clinics are not members of the system, because it reimburses them only a fraction of their costs.

 

I dont know if places like Bangkok/Pattaya Hospital or International participate in the 30 baht system, but I doubt it, given their high costs and charges compared to state-run hospitals like the hugh one in Chonburi city, which seems competent but monumentally over-crowded.

[Bob]

I would think that what is going around is the old common flu. Bronchitis itself doesn't seem to be contagious but the flu surely is.

 

I've had it before over here and, for a falang on vacation, it surely makes the hot temperatures almost unbearable.

 

GT: Rum and coke seem to help!

[Guest gonefishing]

Most boys in Pattaya have ID cards from Issan or the north and they cannot usually obtain medical care in other provinces like Chonburi using the 30 baht system. They have to go home to do that, and many live far away from major hospitals at home.

 

Even if impoverished Thais could use the 30 baht system in other provinces, they have to find a participating hospital or clinic. Many major hospitals and small clinics are not members of the system, because it reimburses them only a fraction of their costs.

 

I dont know if places like Bangkok/Pattaya Hospital or International participate in the 30 baht system, but I doubt it, given their high costs and charges compared to state-run hospitals like the hugh one in Chonburi city, which seems competent but monumentally over-crowded.

 

The 30 baht scheme won a lot of support for Thaksin in the rural areas, unsurprisingly, as it did enable the rural poor to get reasonable (if limited) medical treatment. The problem is not so much where the card can be used, but that it can only be issued in a Thai's home town and few Thais appear to think about this before they need it (before going to Bangkok / Pattaya, etc), which is normally too late.

 

It can be used in any state-run hospital or clinic, such as the Banglamung Hospital in Naklua, those in Si-Racha, Sattahip, etc, or any of the sub-district clinics, such as the one in Ban-Amphur (all easily recognised, as the buildings are all identical) but these are normally only manned by a registered nurse with a doctor in attendance on a strictly limited basis. Treatment is "reasonable", including accident / injury, pre/post-natal care, etc, but does not include the costlier drugs, treatment for Aids, etc. The main problem country-wide is, as you say, that the hospitals simply are not up to dealing with the numbers needing treatment. My boyfriend used the local clinic to change his dressings after a motor-cycle accident (after initial treatment at Bangkok-Pattaya!), but he is registered here (on my house-papers) and had the 30 baht card (as well as BUPA insurance); no waiting and comparable treatment (but no Bangkok Post or free fruit!).

 

The problem in Pattaya is that despite being a "city" with a large (though mainly transient) population the only such hospital is the Banglamung hospital, which has not changed in twenty years or more, and as there are no local clinics at all medical facilities are actually considerably worse than in some of the rural areas. Clearly the arch in front of City Hall (5,000,000 baht+?), the planned arches for Walking Street and the dolphin/mermaid statue on Beach Road (12,000,000 baht?!) are of far greater importance.

[Guest Snowkat]

It can be used in any state-run hospital or clinic, such as the Banglamung Hospital in Naklua, those in Si-Racha, Sattahip, etc, .................. but these are normally only manned by a registered nurse with a doctor in attendance on a strictly limited basis. Treatment is "reasonable", including accident / injury, pre/post-natal care, etc, but does not include the costlier drugs, treatment for Aids, etc. The main problem country-wide is, as you say, that the hospitals simply are not up to dealing with the numbers needing treatment.....................

The problem in Pattaya is that ..................the only such hospital is the Banglamung hospital, which has not changed in twenty years or more, and as there are no local clinics at all medical facilities are actually considerably worse than in some of the rural areas.

 

Have been to Banglamung hospital once with old b/f. The place is appallingly disorganized, and over-crowded and the treatment is very basic indeed. In fact, I would not take my cat there never mind a human being and certainly not one who had been in an accident or required pre-post natal care!! Would hate to see the mortality rates for this hospital in comparison with those at a private hospital. The place has a reputation amongst Thais as the last stop before death!!.

The 30 Baht scheme may be a good thing for the very poorest people in rural areas up north but from what I have seen it provides a greatly inferior service for people in Banglamung/Pattaya area.

[Guest jimnbkk]

"... My boyfriend used the local clinic to change his dressings after a motor-cycle accident (after initial treatment at Bangkok-Pattaya!), but he is registered here (on my house-papers) and had the 30 baht card (as well as BUPA insurance); no waiting and comparable treatment (but no Bangkok Post or free fruit!)..."

 

My Thai friend went to the BUPA office on Sukumwit Road to inquire about insurance, but he said it was closed. Has the office moved? Does anybody know where it is? Is BUPA insurance good? He had what I believe was the bronchitis you-all are discussing and went to the hospital for treatment. Seems OK now.

 

Finally, dumb question maybe, what does BUPA mean? Is it an acronym?

 

[Guest Snowkat]

 

Finally, dumb question maybe, what does BUPA mean? Is it an acronym?

 

British United Provident Association