A good hospital for child 11 years old

Sorry late reply, Frank.  Just take her to the best private hospital...most of the "childrens hospitals" are just maternity wards.    yeah, it's frustrating, as i've had to put my baby in the hospital and there's no big rush to help them.   

What's the symptoms?  Usually you have to already know the problem and just go there for treatment.  They will always want to keep the child there a week, "or she will die".  Don't let them guilt you into that...sadly you cannot trust doctors here....especially pediatricians or OBGYN.  Use your best judgement, but dont let them bully you, Frank.  It's hard..been through it many times with my little one.  Hope it works out good for yours.

Thanks Steve,
She has a swollen neck not just come on been there some time girlfriend says, but it's not right, also she's always getting colds but instead of bringing phlegm up through the mouth hers comes out of her nose so wondering if related symptoms.
Either way I have to pay so just need to find the best none conning one there must be one.. Or fly her to another country could be an option.

Unless you are there, it's hard to tell what's going on.  Wish I could recommend  an honest doctor but I'm not in your region.  How would they treat the kid if you were not in the picture?  It's very hard in times like this, and honestly the doctors and culture will prey on your decency, as a foreigner. 

Just for reference, my daughter has been in the hospital twice including birth, and both times they told me she had a bad infection, needed meds for a week, or she would die.  Both times, I signed off, took her to another clinic and she tested completely healthy, with no problems.  Just my small sample, but enough for me.

Right know what your saying from taking the girlfriend. Just before Christmas. Take care mate.

Let your wife take her alone.
Stay completely away out of sight.
Make no mention her daddy is a foreigner or walking ATM.

Good advice about staying out of the picture.....we gave birth in that manner.  Hospital was totally pissed when the kid came out white and I showed my face.  They would have surely scammed us into an unnecessary c-section like they had done almost every other foreigner in the region. 

How's your kid, Frank?

Just want to know, is it just your child's mom who takes your kid to the doctor? If so, when it comes to following doctor's orders for your child, do you think she understands what needs to be done, or gives a good description to the doctor of your child's symptoms? Sometimes, people would give inaccurate description to a doctor to avoid being prescribed certain meds. I'm not saying your wife does this, but it can happen, especially to those who are not used to seeing a doctor or are averse because of the cost.

IMHO, you need to go with your child for doctor visits as much as you can. Ask the doctor questions such as how he / she came to the conclusion that your child has certain issues, or what the medication is for, what does it do. What symptoms should you be on the lookout that may indicate a worsening condition?

Don't think that every doctor or hospital is going to con you and raise their consultation fee just because you are a foreigner. And besides, even if they do, the cost of consultation is very little (less than US$10). Does it really hurt your wallet if you get charged an extra US$3 so you can hear the advice personally and directly from a doctor?

Consultation fee for pediatricians, and most doctors such as ENTs, dermatologists, etc. , range from PhP500-650. There are extra fees for services such as ear cleaning, nebulizer use, etc. Neurologists, orthopedists and specialists (for example, pediatric gastroenterologist vs gastroenterologist or pediatric dentist vs regular dentist) charge more.

When our kids need to see their pediatrician, I and my husband both go there as much as we can. (Consultation fee is PhP500 no matter who takes our kid to the doctor.) We ask detailed questions, and the doctor was more than happy to explain what's going on. I even write notes on my phone regarding what medications were given so I can refer to them in the future. When the kids had a nanny, we brought her along too, to describe to the doctor the symptoms during the day when we're at work, and not just the ones we observed when we're at home.

Piece of advice: If your child's pedia has long queues or is often late, I would suggest having someone go there early as a stand-in, put your kid's name in the list, and wait until the doctor arrives. That person can then call you when the doctor is there. It can be hard on a sick child to wait. This will help in avoiding additional discomfort on your kid, and also on you, as it can be hard for a sick child to wait.

Ok guys so you know i do believe no one will rip you of when comes to doctors here and what they will charge you, I know been there with my Son, I to tought they will charge a lots, but they just charge me as they do any one here, no more no less, they may not be as good as western Doctors but honesty is there, I had to vaccinate my Son from 3 months old, before that he was done in Australia, they got the same vaccines as in AU, charge same as my wifes brothers kids, no more.. then he had bit of cold, they said it was viral infection, that part i did not believe but, or maybe they have been right, the medication given was not doing any good,  so there is positives and negatives to this,
Frank your daughter may have Sinus, this is what I can understand from the symptoms,
I am not a Doctor but back home had family that are Doctors, my Wife is Nurse too, I can read in to symptoms.

FilAmericanMom wrote:

Just want to know, is it just your child's mom who takes your kid to the doctor? If so, when it comes to following doctor's orders for your child, do you think she understands what needs to be done, or gives a good description to the doctor of your child's symptoms? Sometimes, people would give inaccurate description to a doctor to avoid being prescribed certain meds. I'm not saying your wife does this, but it can happen, especially to those who are not used to seeing a doctor or are averse because of the cost.

IMHO, you need to go with your child for doctor visits as much as you can. Ask the doctor questions such as how he / she came to the conclusion that your child has certain issues, or what the medication is for, what does it do. What symptoms should you be on the lookout that may indicate a worsening condition?

Don't think that every doctor or hospital is going to con you and raise their consultation fee just because you are a foreigner. And besides, even if they do, the cost of consultation is very little (less than US$10). Does it really hurt your wallet if you get charged an extra US$3 so you can hear the advice personally and directly from a doctor?

Consultation fee for pediatricians, and most doctors such as ENTs, dermatologists, etc. , range from PhP500-650. There are extra fees for services such as ear cleaning, nebulizer use, etc. Neurologists, orthopedists and specialists (for example, pediatric gastroenterologist vs gastroenterologist or pediatric dentist vs regular dentist) charge more.

When our kids need to see their pediatrician, I and my husband both go there as much as we can. (Consultation fee is PhP500 no matter who takes our kid to the doctor.) We ask detailed questions, and the doctor was more than happy to explain what's going on. I even write notes on my phone regarding what medications were given so I can refer to them in the future. When the kids had a nanny, we brought her along too, to describe to the doctor the symptoms during the day when we're at work, and not just the ones we observed when we're at home.

Piece of advice: If your child's pedia has long queues or is often late, I would suggest having someone go there early, put your kid's name in the list, and wait until the doctor arrives. That person can then call you when the doctor is there. It can be hard on a sick child to wait. This will help in avoiding additional discomfort on your kid, and also on you, as it can be hard for a sick child to wait.

Sounds all good, in theory, and I get that you are Filipino and speak only good of your countrymen....but with the exception of our family friend/pediatrician every doctor I've ever met here was extremely arrogant and asking them to explain their reasoning will only make them defensive and angry. 

I do agree that you should be on good terms with your family doctor, but it's not even debatable about how much a hospital (which is the OP question here) will attempt to cheat a foreigner.  I was in with my wife once and there was a cousin in the ward with dengue and we couldn't even visit her for fear that her bill would double or triple if the hospital made the connection with me.  Even the cousin knew that, so we just texted her.  It sounds negative, but the average FIlipino sees absolutely nothing wrong with completely screwing over a "dumb foreigner."  That's the reality of the Philippines.

expatsteve48 wrote:

Sounds all good, in theory, and I get that you are Filipino and speak only good of your countrymen....but with the exception of our family friend/pediatrician every doctor I've ever met here was extremely arrogant and asking them to explain their reasoning will only make them defensive and angry. 

I do agree that you should be on good terms with your family doctor, but it's not even debatable about how much a hospital (which is the OP question here) will attempt to cheat a foreigner.  I was in with my wife once and there was a cousin in the ward with dengue and we couldn't even visit her for fear that her bill would double or triple if the hospital made the connection with me.  Even the cousin knew that, so we just texted her.  It sounds negative, but the average FIlipino sees absolutely nothing wrong with completely screwing over a "dumb foreigner."  That's the reality of the Philippines.

I am Filipino, but I do not speak only good of fellow Filipinos. Actually, I can go on and on about how horrible traffic is, rude drivers, how building codes are not enforced, pollution, horrible bank service and many many more. (For me, BDO now stands for Banco Dalawang Oras, or "Two-Hour Bank", because that's at least how long I waited to get a Manager's Check yesterday (Got there at 3:15pm and left at 6pm. That's 2 hours and 45 minutes, 50 minutes of which was standing at the counter because the teller did not know what to do with the application form, was probably embarrassed to ask a manager or the manager was too busy, and no one from the bank even offered a seat while I wait. Horrible, horrible, horrrrible!!!).  But those are not the issue here.

I am just sharing our experience with regards to doctor visits , and I am sure if you ask my husband what his opinion is, he will say the same.  My children had been hospitalized before. We were not overcharged. The biggest annoyance for us is the long wait at doctors' offices.

One important advice if your kid gets hospitalized: If he needs an IV, ask that a doctor be the one to insert the needle, or at least a nurse / technician with lots of experience inserting a IV needle on a child. NEVER EVER HAVE AN INTERN DO IT.

When our little girl was about three she tripped over and got a little wound to her forehead. Lots of blood from small hole.
We took her to a major city hospital where she got two stitches and a unnecessary stay over.
Total cost php 56,000.
Big lesson for daddy. Stay out of sight.

Silvercobra wrote:

When our little girl was about three she tripped over and got a little wound to her forehead. Lots of blood from small hole.
We took her to a major city hospital where she got two stitches and a unnecessary stay over.
Total cost php 56,000.
Big lesson for daddy. Stay out of sight.

How come it cost that high? To what type of room was she admitted? Did she have tests like an MRI? Did they have to sedate her? Use the OR?

Sedation of a child usually costs around PhP20,000. And if a young child is sedated, he / she might have to stay at a hospital or if you prefer to take the child home, he / she will have to be monitored 24/7.

Be aware of the socialized pricing at hospitals, i.e., if you are admitted at a higher priced room, you will pay not just for the cost of the room but a premium over your hospital services. This is legal.

I learned about it the first time I was hospitalized 8 years ago for bleeding when I was pregnant. The only rooms available at the hospital was their biggest suite and the next suite down. I picked the smaller suite, which was like a 1-bedroom condo.

I was surprised when I was billed PhP28,000 for a night, meds and ultrasounds. That's at FEU hospital. Well-known hospital such as St. Luke's or Makati Medical or Medical City charge even more, a lot more, not just for foreigners, but also for Filipinos.

It was room about 3m x3m with a single bed and cr/shower in the corner. Too small to swing a cat.
Anestheiologist php 11,000 so I imagine it was an OR.
11k for maybe an hours work. Thanks Mr foreigner.
Was told X-ray was taken but not shown any images so unsure if any were taken.
The attitude was "pay now and we will release your girl".
This is one of the diamonds in my life so of course I paid.
I have been referred to the same place but explained that I don't fart money now I'm a pensioner.
I say again Daddy stay away till the account is presented.

She's now 6yrs old and loves her Daddy

You can search on Google and find the best hospitals list.

Walking atm, love it.

She's OK in herself still her happy go luck self.
But want this swollen neck investigated.

The issue didn't involve costs which I have always found reasonable, it's the seemingly lack of knowledge of some doctors in province hospitals I find concerning. And the fact I got different diagnosis one day after the other at a different hospital,,, I'm best going to the city I think. But thanks for the advice

Frank you right about Doctors in Province, but then not much batter in a big City too, I am sure you can find good one, but that is just a luck, I remember when my Wife was pregnant and we did go for regular Visits, the test she did and med they give her to take I was freaking out, and I stopped all that, then they wanted c-section for birth, I thought that was crazy as what I know c-section is for emergency only, I strongly disagree with the procedures, to the point we went back to Australia for birth, it cost me lots of money as she was not covered by medicare, but the best and the safest thing I have ever done, only only that i had a chance to see my own Son been born I even helept the midwife to deliver our boy. how cool was that...

Please note that I am a retired electrician and not a doctor.
If the swelling is at the front of her throat, get or tell the doctor to check her thyroid.

you could be right too silver, i know sinus is strange one, come out throat the nose, drops through the throat and causes infection in the throat, then as you say can be thyroid, but then that will be like a golf ball stuck in a throat, hard to swallow and talk, with high temperature,
but this is so easy for doctor to see, even father will be able to see.

Hi Sam and FrankLancs.
You will have to guide the doctor through the examination giving him/her all the facts and check he inspects what you are suggesting. Sooner or later you both will be in sinc and bingo little girl is fixed.
On my visit to the local quack he basically asked me what MY opinion was about the reason I was in his room and what was MY diagnosis. He asked  a few questions then went completely off track and away from my symptoms completely until I brought him back to my specific issue.
He told me to stop smoking, gave me a prescription for Big Pharma drugs and it was over.
Just the same as in Perth but not so expensive but I guess everything is relative to where you are.

Silver he asked you to stop smoking ??? this don't sound good to me, so what is wrong my Man??

FrankLancs wrote:

The issue didn't involve costs which I have always found reasonable, it's the seemingly lack of knowledge of some doctors in province hospitals I find concerning. And the fact I got different diagnosis one day after the other at a different hospital,,, I'm best going to the city I think. But thanks for the advice

What doctors / specialists has your daughter seen? Is it just pediatricians? Have you tried going to an ENT?

If I were in yoiur situation, and was not satisfied with the pediatrician's diagnosis, I would take my daughter to an ENT. If the ENT suggests that you see a pediatric ENT, you can check the internet for their schedule and availabilty.

There's Philippine Children's Medical Center on Quezon Ave. In Quezon City. You might also want to check out St. Lukes's, Medical City, Makati Medical. (We found a pediatric gastroenterologist for our son at Phil. Children's Medical Center.)

As I mentioned before, the biggest annoyance for us is the long queue and wait time at the doctors's offices. Call before going to Manila to confirm that the doctor would be there.

Thanks FilAmericanMom.
Going to drive down to Philippine Children's Medical Center on Quezon Ave. Confirmed doctor there on Saturday. If no joy will stay over and go St lukes.
Frank

Silvercobra wrote:

It was room about 3m x3m with a single bed and cr/shower in the corner. Too small to swing a cat.
Anestheiologist php 11,000 so I imagine it was an OR.
11k for maybe an hours work. Thanks Mr foreigner.
Was told X-ray was taken but not shown any images so unsure if any were taken.
The attitude was "pay now and we will release your girl".
This is one of the diamonds in my life so of course I paid.
I have been referred to the same place but explained that I don't fart money now I'm a pensioner.
I say again Daddy stay away till the account is presented.

Whether you are a Filipino or a foreigner, that's what you'll be charged at a major hospital. My 7 year old daughter needed some dental work done. Sedation was PhP20,000 for an anaesthesiologist from St. Luke's. 

Sedation is necessary for a toddler if he / she needs stitches. Confinement at a hospital is optional, but one is required to sign a waiver if one wants to bring the child home after being sedated. It's going to be tough because you always need.to have someone watch the child especially to observe his / her breathing while he / she sleeps. No one should sleep on the.job. The child will have to be rushed to a hospital ER if he / she shows certain symptons or signs. There are cases where children have died after sedation.

About my daughter's dental work, decided to shop around and found a pediatric dentist with an office at a nearby hospital. Less charge for an anaesthesiologist with OR. Luckily, I was.able to convince my daughter to be brave and just have localized anaesthesia. Held her hand and a tablet with her favorite shows downloaded.

@Silvercobra, for informational purposes, to which hospital's emergency room did you go to so that we will think twice before going there if we're on a tight budget?

Top major hospitals charge higher fees compared to other private hospitals. For example, I paid PhP170 000 for a necessary c-section (due to placenta previa) 5-day stay in a large private room  (because we wanted our daughter -- our second child -- to be roomed-in and needed extra space for my husband and a reliever),  blood transfusion at FEU Hospital in Fairview. My friend, on the other hand, wanted to give birth to her first born at Medical City. She paid PhP240,000 for natural childbirth, 2-day stay in a small private room.

I had a hand-cranked bed in my room. My firiend's room had a self-reclining bed and other bells and whistles. It would be nice to have but with our budget and being it nearby pur place, we deicded on FEU Hospital.

It would be best to ask around how much admittance costs are for hospitals in one's area so one can have an informed decision which to go to considering the quality of care and budget.

There are three things a doctor will tell you as a matter of routine.
1/  Stop smoking.
2/. Take these drugs.
3/. Come back in a week. 
I have found Caffeine, nicotine and resting will cure most problems.

FrankLancs wrote:

Thanks FilAmericanMom.
Going to drive down to Philippine Children's Medical Center on Quezon Ave. Confirmed doctor there on Saturday. If no joy will stay over and go St lukes.
Frank

PCMC has old buildings and newer ones. Waiting area is open air. The newer buildings have cooler waiting areas. Bring something to cool down such as a fan and drinking water. Could be a long wait. Bring a few snacks. It's a bit overcast in Quezon City and sometimes rais in the afternoon. You might want to bring an umbrella.

It's nice of you to go through these lengths in finding good medical help your step daughter. You are a good man. Hope you cam get her health issue resolved.

There are many good hospitals and doctors in the Philippines. St Luke's Medical Center in QC is very reputable. I've had relatives who have gone there with serious ailments and have been happy with them. The older hospital is in Quezon City and the newer one is in Global City. Either one should be fine but my kins go to the older one since its nearby.

In Angeles, there's the university hospital, AUF (Angeles University Foundation). But I have no experience with them. I only had the opportunity to visit them a few years ago to check out the school.

I would not be concerned about showing yourself as a Westerner especially in St Luke's. You will not be charged anymore or less regardless of who you are. Maybe, if you go to a very small clinic that might happen but that would be very unusual. In case you are farther north, Lorma Hospital just outside San Fernando, La Union is also another very good hospital. They have been around since the 60's. I've known the owners and have physician friends that work there.

Regardless of where you go, you should be an advocate for yourself or your child. Do not hesitate to ask questions and be informed of your child's condition until you are completely satisfied. I live in the United States and I do the same thing with my doctors. Even in the US, doctors can make mistakes especially with more complicated conditions. That is why some people seek second opinions. The internet is also a wealth of information to verify diagnosis.

Hi Frank,
How is your little princess?
Just been researching swollen neck. You don't give many details about where in the neck is the swelling.
Google says could be lymph glands caused by ear infection or chest infection like common cold. Chest infection would help explain reoccurring colds and snotty nose.
Don't overlook tonsillitis or tooth infection.
Good luck

UPDATE
Unfortunately it's not good news, Its a nasal tumor.
She's having the operation on Saturday followed by a meeting to decide the best options afterwards.
Thanks everyone that kept in touch
Frank