Newbies in Mexico Medical expectation

I have no idea how the pricing was as I have nothing to compare it too. I know it was cheaper then flying back to Vancouver for another month to have the same procedure done.

Can you tell us where that hospital is, CB? Or is there a website? More info, if possible. Thanks.

Here is their English website. It shows the location in Zapopan.

http://www.hrsj.com.mx/en/

Gracias!

According to Sr. Google:

Location Map: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Hospital+Real+San+Jos%C3%A9,+Ni%C3%B1o+Obrero,+Jardines+de+San+Ignacio,+Zapopan,+Mexico&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=20.67262,-103.409328&spn=0.081429,0.154324&sll=35.08241,-106.676479&sspn=0.284883,0.617294&oq=Hospital+Real+San+Jose&hq=Hospital+Real+San+Jos%C3%A9,+Ni%C3%B1o+Obrero,+Jardines+de+San+Ignacio,+Zapopan,+Mexico&t=m&z=13

Trailrunner wrote:

Jim W wrote:I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Thelin @ Cruz Rojo this morning. Dr. Thelin has a big job ahead of him, and once everyone @ Lakeside is aware of everything Cruz Rojo can handle medically speaking, you will probably make Cruz Rojo your first choice, rather than Maskeras or Ajijic Clinic.

I really enjoyed our meeting and believe that some very positive changes are in the works, to the benefit of all Lakeside Residents.

Jim W

Thanks for this, Jim, you're correct. If all goes as planned, next year at this time Cruz Roja Chapala will be a major player in quality full spectrum health care lakeside.

The addition of Dr. Thelin as the Medical Director has been a huge shot in the arm for us (pun intended), his energy, dedication, and vision is exactly what we need.

One of the projects I am most excited about is the advanced cardiac intervention training that will start in April and will be taught by. . .Dr. Juan Pablo Loza! We all are in the process of designing it now and as it stands it will be divided into 5 parts: Cardiology Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, EKG Rhythm Interpretation, Intervention Guidelines and Algorithms, and the testing process. It will be offered to all the doctors, nurses, and EMTs. You're hearing it for the first time now - breaking news.

Stay with us, support us, and we'll do everything we can to elevate the level of emergency medical care here at the lake.

Trailrunner, can you or Dr. Sam list current services available @ Cruz Roja and possibly what future services are planned?

Thank You,

Jim W

It is on my list of small projects to do... I will come back.

CanuckBob wrote:The only thing that surprised me a bit was the lack of English speaking staff as most in the medical field usually speak some English. The nurses all had their smart phones out and were using goggle translate much to everyone's amusement. They seemed to enjoy practicing their English while it gave me a chance to practice my crummy Spanish.

Hi CB, I hope you are fully recovered. In my experience, it is not uncommon for doctors to not speak English. For example, I needed a physical exam to get my work permit in Belgium. The doctor spoke about as much English as I spoke Flemish. We muddled through. I frequently hear that everyone in both Belgium and the Netherlands speak English but it's just not what I found in my work experience.

Perhaps Dr. Thelin can confirm, but as far as I understood all doctors are schooled in English throughout the world. It is the universal language for medicine similar to commercial pilots and air traffic controllers. I do assume however that if you don't practice a language it will soon be forgotten. All the doctors I have met here, including veterinarians, speak some english. The nurses on the other hand, not so much.

As a cost aside, I just had my carotids checked out in Vancouver. I forget the name of the procedure. They smear some gel on ur neck, the tech rubs her magic wand around for 1/2 an hr. and I napped. Outside the system cost for zero wait - $C500. Next up I had a little somethin lodged against an eardrum. Wait period for a specialist - 6 wks. plus. I was into the ENT @ St Paul's hosp. in 2 weeks. Procedure time 5 min. I went straight home for a lengthy hot, soapy shower. The sanitary visuals of that grotty shit hole gave me the creeps. Please, whomever, may I die in the saddle, as opposed to germ bycatch in a place like that. Our med end running costs us $C6000/yr. Do we have feelings of guilt, lay awake at night over this ? NOPE. Bob, send me to your leader, I mean specialist in that squeaky clean Guad hosp.

We have private Mexican health insurance, 2 of us, aged 58 and 70, annual cost $44,000 Pesos. Any Doc, any hospital, etc.. Routine stuff is out-of-pocket. I had a CT scan last year, cost was $354 US. Colonoscopy (in a hospital) <$400 USD. I love the medical care here.

English is required in school, and more in high school. In medical school they must read articles in English, and some of the test questions are in English. I would say 80% can speak it to some extent, but if they do not use it, after a while they will forget most of it.

CanuckBob wrote:Perhaps Dr. Thelin can confirm, but as far as I understood all doctors are schooled in English throughout the world. It is the universal language for medicine similar to commercial pilots and air traffic controllers. I do assume however that if you don't practice a language it will soon be forgotten. All the doctors I have met here, including veterinarians, speak some english. The nurses on the other hand, not so much.

CanuckBob
I can tell you French doctors are not required to take English. All kids have to study two or 3 languages in high school and usually one language chosen is English but I know many docotors there who have never studied English and that inclded specialists-

We (or at least I was) talking about Mexican doctors. Most of the doctors in Mexico are Mexicans. Most doctors I know from around the world also speak English, but then again those are people who also travel internationally.

brigitte wrote:CanuckBob
I can tell you French doctors are not required to take English. All kids have to study two or 3 languages in high school and usually one language chosen is English but I know many docotors there who have never studied English and that inclded specialists-

I dated a cardiologist in France and met many of this friends at the University in Paris, they all spoke and read various languages but English was not one of the languages they spoke.
Of course Mexico being next door to the US would be in a different situation.

brigitte wrote:CanuckBob
I can tell you French doctors are not required to take English. All kids have to study two or 3 languages in high school and usually one language chosen is English but I know many docotors there who have never studied English and that inclded specialists-

Thats not surprising since many of the French in Canada even refuse to speak English.......jaja.

Here is a partial list of actual services - I will add specifics later when I have more time.

Emergency ambulance service (each with oxygen, defibrillators, emergency medication, splints, etc).
Urban search and rescue service, hydraulic rescue tools (both engine-powered and hand-powered for freeing persons trapped in vehicles and buildings).
Private ambulance transport.
Electrocardiograph with computer analysis and integrated defibrillator.
Respiratory ventilator.
Emergency medications.
Area dedicated to emergency stabilization.
Area dedicated to trauma and wound care.
Primary burn care.
Acute asma care.
Poisoning and overdose care (including scorpian antidote).
Medical monitors for critical patients
Wound cleaning and suturing.
Seizure care.
Administration of medications and solutions (I.V.).
Digital x-ray service.
Treatment of simple fractures and dislocations - splints and casts.
Post-delivery emergency care.
Medical certificates (for school, work, and marriage).
“Parte Médico de Lesiones” (legal documentation of injuries).
Consultations.

Jim W wrote: Trailrunner, can you or Dr. Sam list current services available @ Cruz Roja and possibly what future services are planned?

Thank You,

Jim W

This is only available in Chapala. The sub-station is only an ambulance and two EMTs to have faster response by avoiding the time to drive from Chapala to Ajijic. There is no phone at the Ajijic station. It has a radio to communicate between Ajijic, Chapala, and the ambulances.

ferret wrote:

Dr. Sam Thelin wrote:Here is a partial list of actual services - I will add specifics later when I have more time.

Emergency ambulance service (each with oxygen, defibrillators, emergency medication, splints, etc).
Urban search and rescue service, hydraulic rescue tools (both engine-powered and hand-powered for freeing persons trapped in vehicles and buildings).
Private ambulance transport.
Electrocardiograph with computer analysis and integrated defibrillator.
Respiratory ventilator.
Emergency medications.
Area dedicated to emergency stabilization.
Area dedicated to trauma and wound care.
Primary burn care.
Acute asma care.
Poisoning and overdose care (including scorpian antidote).
Medical monitors for critical patients
Wound cleaning and suturing.
Seizure care.
Administration of medications and solutions (I.V.).
Digital x-ray service.
Treatment of simple fractures and dislocations - splints and casts.
Post-delivery emergency care.
Medical certificates (for school, work, and marriage).
“Parte Médico de Lesiones” (legal documentation of injuries).
Consultations.

Thanks for the detailed list. I'm printing a copy and parking it next to the Telephone Number that I have on the fridge.
Is this available at both locations for the Red Cross or is the one in West Ajijic just ambulance services. BOTH telephone numbers would be appreciated.

Thanks :) I will let you know when I get that far.

ferret wrote:Thank you. Only one number to remember.
When you get your list complete, I will be happy to print off flyers for Charlie or others who collect donations for the Red Cross. I don't think a lot of people are even aware of all that the Red Cross here has to offer.

David wrote:We have private Mexican health insurance, 2 of us, aged 58 and 70, annual cost $44,000 Pesos. Any Doc, any hospital, etc.. Routine stuff is out-of-pocket. I had a CT scan last year, cost was $354 US. Colonoscopy (in a hospital) <$400 USD. I love the medical care here.

I was wondering who your insurer was - the cost seems so low - I am guessing there are no pre-existing conditions. Our neighbors, who are Mexicans, contacted various Health Insurances there, and just for me the lowest quote was $5600.00 US per year. Thank you.