Medical services

Claudid Active member

35POSTS

6 years ago

I'm in the process of buying property but whenever I mention that I am, people say that all the doctors
left (before and after Maria) and medical services are awful.

I have family born and raised there and family members who died in their in 90's recently and others still alive in their 80's. I'm well aware that wait times are long, services and facility's are not the same as in the states but waiting times and getting appointments in New Jersey are taking longer also.

My question to those transplants living on the island for multiple years (pre and post Maria) what do you think and have experienced? Is it getting better, worst or staying the same.

I'm buying in Humacao. Any imfo on that area would be a plus.

Gracias Feliz Navidad and Happy Holidays

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SaltyBeachBum Member

3POSTS

6 years ago

My fiance had a fever for 23 days and almost died from sepsis due to terrible medical here. The doctors told him he had cancer...and he did not. We flew him up to FL to save his life. Medical is terrible. He's in nursing school and even the nurses and doctors he works with fly up to FL for better health care.

ReyP ViP

5509POSTS

6 years ago

The lines are longer for especialistas but regular doctors we have plenty.
Doctors are trained to the same standard, you should always research your doctor just like in the states.
Your insurance company will have a list of specialists, research them also then go to your regular doctor and get a referral from the list of those you are confortable with.
Because of delays, I do not recommend people from the states with major health issues to come live here. Not because of the treatment, but because of the waits and the disappointment since their expectations from doctors is different than reality leading to ulcer or moving out of the island.
We have plenty of people living past 100. My great grand mother lived to 103, I have a picture of my first born, me, my mother, my grand mother and my great grandmother, that is 5 generations. The funny thing is that she lived to 103 but she was a heavy alcoholic and have been drinking all her life, she was pickled in alcohol and still lived that long. Her.wrinkles had wrinkles of their own. LOL. Genes is the answer.

Claudid Active member

35POSTS

6 years ago

Thank you Rey P ( I appreciate most of your posts) and yes I agree genes. I hope I have not screwed mine up. Your response makes a lot of sense. For the most part, my perspective is from people I know on the island and in line with what you wrote. I know people in NJ who say you can only get good medical in NY. Everything is relative. My brother moved to Aguadilla from NY when he got diagnosed with cancer. He was told he had 4 years to live but lived about 7 years and through Maria. He received dialysis throughout Maria as well. He told me there are good and there are not so good doctors or sometimes his poor understanding of Spanish got in the way of understanding the doctor and other health professionals. He was also a transplant from NY never living in PR before he got the cancer.

Happy Holidays everyone.

ReyP ViP

5509POSTS

6 years ago

Claudid wrote:
Thank you Rey P ( I appreciate most of your posts) and yes I agree genes. I hope I have not screwed mine up. Your response makes a lot of sense. For the most part, my perspective is from people I know on the island and in line with what you wrote. I know people in NJ who say you can only get good medical in NY. Everything is relative. My brother moved to Aguadilla from NY when he got diagnosed with cancer. He was told he had 4 years to live but lived about 7 years and through Maria. He received dialysis throughout Maria as well. He told me there are good and there are not so good doctors or sometimes his poor understanding of Spanish got in the way of understanding the doctor and other health professionals. He was also a transplant from NY never living in PR before he got the cancer.

Happy Holidays everyone.

3 million people live on the island so medical can not be as bad as some people claim, otherwise the population would be greatly diminished. Cancer, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, diabetes are common ailments in the island.

Most doctors in PR speak English, so far my wife had no issues with neither her doctor nor the dentist, a little trouble with the office staff since not all of them speak English.

Also in PR and the states you are always going to run into some doctors with bad bedside manners, you can put up with it or switch doctors.