A few people have asked me what the medical care is like here in South Africa and if we have noticed any big differences. While for the most part our medical care is pretty much the same here there are a few differences I can share. For those with insurance or for those willing to pay out of pocket going to a doctor is easy and for the most part the same as it is in America. Not more then a few weeks here and Chase was the first person who needed to see a doctor. We chose a clinic in our neighborhood that was recommended by the other American expats in the area. The general practitioner Chase saw at his first appointment has now become our family doctor and has seen all of us for various reasons. Much like in America you call when you need an appointment and get in fairly easily. We have really started to like our Doctor here, she is friendly, the kids like here, and always is sure to ask if we are still doing well with being so far from America. Doctors here don't hold back when it comes to writing prescriptions. When you leave the doctor it's not uncommon to leave with a script for four different things. For example, the last time I went to the doctor I got a script for penicillin, a pro biotic, a nose spray, and a pain reliever. The last time Spencer was sick he had breathing treatments, a liquid steroid, an antibiotic, a cough syrup, a pro biotic, and a pain reliever all prescribed. It felt odd loading him up on so many medications and we only used some of them as needed. Picking up prescriptions is a fairly easy process as well. The doctors can't call in your prescription to the pharmacy so I have to take the slip and wait in line, I've had to wait in line for 30 minutes before. It's kind of a pain with a two and five year old, and does make me miss the luxury of the drive through pharmacy.
I was also worried about finding a good Rheumatologist when moving here. I have been seeing the same doctor for the last 7 years and having a good Rheumatologist has been key to keeping my Lupus under control. I found a list of local Rheumatologist and picked a name on the list, hoping they would meet my needs. Thankfully, my doctor back home agreed to continue with my care over seas as long as I found someone here to be a contact and to write me prescriptions and lab orders as needed. My doctor here in Africa agreed to work with my needs and has been very accommodating and helpful in my care. I gave her a list of labs my doctor back home wanted and she has my lab results translated into English from Afrikaans and sent to me via email so that I can forward them to my doctor in the States. He quickly responds with his opinion and we continue from there. I go every couple months for lab work and have found our across the world communication to work out pretty well. The blood lab here is just like any lab back home pretty simple, easy, and quick. I've been lucky to find a doctor here who is willing to be so flexible with their care.
When Spencer was put on all those medications we also had our first trip to a hospital here. One evening as Spencer was sleeping he was showing signs of breathing difficulty. He was experiencing a lot of heavy labored breathing and wheezing. So, after watching him for a few hours we decided to take him in to an Emergency room. I put a Facebook message out to some of the expat moms who have been here for a while to find out which hospital I should take him too. There are no children's specific hospitals here in Pretoria so I needed to know the next best thing. Several mom's suggested the same hospital so I went with that, and at 1:00 in the morning I loaded Spencer up in the car and headed off to a hospital I had never been to before. I was pleasantly, surprised when I arrived. We were quickly checked in and seen in no time by a doctor. Spencer had x-rays to rule out pneumonia and a breathing treatment then we were sent home. We were there less then two hours, it was fast and efficient.
The cost of medical care is different here as well. Our insurance isn't recognized at most of the hospitals and clinics here in Pretoria so to pay for medical care and prescriptions we pay out of pocket and then submit a claim to our insurance company. Before I submit the claim a doctors appointment will cost me anywhere from 30 to 60 US dollars and Spencer's trip to the Emergency room including his X-rays only cost me about $70.00. My prescription's each month are about 5 to 10 dollars. So as you can see medical care in general is less expensive, and really not any less quality. My monthly prescriptions are the exact same and less then half the cost of what I pay after insurance back home.
Now, if you can't afford to go to the these clinic or a private hospital. You are given government funded medical aid and there are government run facilities you can go to when sick. I haven't been to a government hospital here, but from what I have been told there is a huge difference in care, cleanliness, and what resources/ tools they have available to use with patients. Elizabeth (our housekeeper) said that she avoids going to the hospital as much as possible and often there are sick people laying on beds in the middle of the halls. She did however have both her children in the government hospital and her youngest was born as a premie at 26 weeks, kept in a warmer in the hospital for 2 months, and has no lasting affects from being born early. I was pretty surprised after what I had heard about these hospitals. They must have some good resources to be able to provide for such a young infant.
There are times we miss our doctors back home and our big fancy Children's Hospital, but for the most part I really can't complain about the medical care we have received. It's been one less things to worry about while here.
