Mixing a overseas holiday with an intentional trip to hospital sounds like a bizarre combination, but Central Otago reporter Lynda van Kempen talks to two men who could not be happier with the outcome of their travel-hospital experience.
Travelling overseas for elective surgery may be simpler and a more cost-effective option than you think, say two Roxburgh men who have had eye surgery in Vietnam.
Bob Fox (68) and Simon Monckton (67) both had cataract surgery and dental work done in that country and recommend it to others.
It was one way to circumvent waiting lists for elective surgery in this country and worked out cheaper than surgery done privately here, even taking into account the cost of return flights, the operation and accommodation, they say.
Mr Fox's wife Kim is Vietnamese, and the couple spend time in that country every year.
It was his positive experience with eye surgery in Vietnam that convinced his friend, Mr Monckton, to follow suit.
"I went through it myself and, naturally, you're nervous first time around, but Kim had researched where to go and acted as translator and they're certainly professional. I couldn't fault them at all,'' Mr Fox said.
His cataract surgery was four years ago and cost $NZ800 for one eye, compared to about $5000 for the same surgery in this country, he believed.
Mr Monckton went in June and had both eyes done, choosing the "top-of-the range''option at $2200 per eye, at the same privately-owned hospital as Mr Fox, Sai Gon Eye Hospital in Ho Chi Minh city.
Neither he nor Mr Fox were on waiting lists for eye surgery here but both had cataracts and deteriorating sight.
They are both retired but remain active in the community.
"I saved up my KiwiSaver and used it after I'd heard about Bob and others who had been to Vietnam for surgery and I couldn't be happier with the results,'' Mr Monckton said.
"What a difference. I don't even really need to wear glasses any more.''
Mrs Fox acted as translator for him at the hospital.
"You get offered a menu of surgery options to choose from, choose one, pay up front, get a full medical beforehand, including getting hooked up to an ECG, get your eyes tested again by a specialist, all those things and then the operation itself only took seven minutes.''
"You get a DVD of your operation, goggles to prevent you rubbing your eyes, antibiotics, eye-drops and have a follow-up visit a week later to check everything's OK.
"Vietnam is a great place to visit, the accommodation at a good place worked out at $12 a night and you could easily combine having a holiday with getting some eye surgery or dental work done.''
Mr Fox also had "nothing but praise'' for the Vietnamese health system.
"It's amazing from the pre-op care to the care afterwards. Their hospitals have all the latest gear and you can afford to pay for the best surgeons.''
He is happy for anyone to contact him if they want to know more.
"I feel sorry for people who are on waiting lists for things like eye surgery and they should certainly think about this as an option. I just want to let others know that this is a reasonably-priced one and I'm more than happy to talk to anyone about it and help with the logistics.''
New Zealand Medical Association chairman Dr Stephen Child, of Auckland, said patients should consider carefully before deciding to have medical or dental procedures in another country.
The association did not wish to be "paternalistic'' about medical tourism, but wanted patients to be aware of the potential for increased risk.
Overseas, patients were no longer covered by New Zealand's health regulations.
Health regulation was in place to protect patients, who were inherently vulnerable.
One of the risks was a lack of follow-up care after a procedure, which was more of a problem with some procedures than with others, Dr Child said.
- Additional reporting: Eileen Goodwin
