Best Cardiac Care In Northern Luzon

[earthdome]

I have been in the La Union/Baguio area of Northern Luzon for over 3 months now. When I left the USA I brought almost 4 months of prescription meds with me. I have been here over 3 months now and was down to about 1 weeks supply. So it was time to seek out medical professionals.

 

I had a heart attack almost 3 years ago and have slightly reduced heart function and am on several meds for my heart. So my highest priority was to find a hospital with a good cardiac unit and cardiologists. From my research the decision was easy.

 

Notre Dames de Chatres Hospital in Baguio: http://notredamehospitalbaguio.com/

 

This hospital was originally founded 100 years ago but has been destroyed twice. In WWII and in the 1991 Baguio earthquake. The Japanese bombed the hospital in WWII because the nuns at the hospital were caring for wounded american soldiers. It was rebuilt and opened again in 2003 and now has the most modern and expansive cardiac care unit in northern Luzon. I saw a news story from 4 years ago reporting on the first open heart surgery done at the hospital.

 

So I stopped by for a visit this morning. Within a half hour I was in the office visiting with a cardiologist. She reviewed my medical history and my prescriptions, checked a few things, then issued new prescriptions so I can continue my medications. She had wanted to see the results from my latest echo cardiogram which I brought with me to the Philippines but forget to bring with me to Baguio. I will be scheduling some blood work and an echo cardiogram before I return to see her again in a few weeks. Cost for the consultation, 300 pesos. That is $7.50 USD. If I recall correctly an office visit to my cardiologist in the USA costs over $100 USD and I had to pay a $25 copay.

 

I will report on the cost of the meds and lab tests once I have those.

[SubicSteve]

Good luck.  Hope it all works out for you.  Also, as a wise man once said.....

 

 

 

....."Trust but verify"

[earthdome]

Good luck.  Hope it all works out for you.  Also, as a wise man once said.....

 

 

 

....."Trust but verify"

 

Yeah, that is a wise maxim to live by.

 

At this point all I need is routine followup care. If I need a major procedure I will research to find the best provider and travel if necessary.

 

I did that for my surgery in 2010 where I found a much better hospital to do the surgery just 2 hour drive away from my local hospital which was going to do the surgery using older techniques which would require a much longer recovery time.

[i am bob]

You would be surprised how many people actually have a heart condition - and many don't know they have one!

 

I, as one of this Forum's Heartless Members, am very interested in what you found out.  I"m looking forward to your next report!

 

I have a price of my meds here somewhere based out of Cebu that my Special Someone sent me.  I just don't know which store or even which company she went to and I keep forgetting to ask.  Once I find the list, I will post the cost of my meds too so others will have a general idea they are looking at as well.

 

:thumbsup:

[JJReyes]

There is also an excellent hospital in San Fernando City, La Union - Lorma Medical Center. I have a contact name if you are interested.

[earthdome]

There is also an excellent hospital in San Fernando City, La Union - Lorma Medical Center. I have a contact name if you are interested.

 

I had heard of the Lorma Medical Center. Since I will soon be moving to Baguio I chose to do my search for medical services there.

[JJReyes]

I had heard of the Lorma Medical Center. Since I will soon be moving to Baguio I chose to do my search for medical services there.

 

Baguio is a good location for retirement because of the cooler weather. It is also a walkable city compared to most places in the Philippines.

[MacBubba]

It is also a walkable city compared to most places in the Philippines.

 

That depends...my wife loves Baguio but won't do much uphill walking.  She says she's not a billy goat.

[earthdome]

I had heard of the Lorma Medical Center. Since I will soon be moving to Baguio I chose to do my search for medical services there.

 

Baguio is a good location for retirement because of the cooler weather. It is also a walkable city compared to most places in the Philippines.

 

Yeah, I like the cooler weather. This winter in San Fernando, La Union the weather was fine for me 31-32C highs. But the weather is heating up now with daily highs running 34-35C. Just got my electric bill. 4149 pesos for one month! Most of that I expect is for cooling the 25sqm studio apartment.

 

I already found a new 36-40sqm 2 br apartment in Baguio to rent next month after they finish painting the inside. It has nice solid wood doors inside, nice wood cabinets in the kitchen with glass in the doors, and surprisingly a steel security door with 9 key operated dead bolts and real weather stripping. The location isn't too bad... close enough to walk to session road. Only real downside is that it is down a path from the barangay road with a total of 90 steps. Only 5000 php/month! Same monthly rent as my studio apt but much larger and nicer. In Baguio I expect my monthly electric bill will be a great deal less when I no longer need to use AC.

 

I spent several days looking at apartments found via the classifieds in the local weekly paper the Midland Courier and from sulit. In the end this apartment was found by calling and asking a friend of my girlfriend who lives in Baguio.

 

I will post more info about the new apartment once I move in.

[Jake]

 

I had heard of the Lorma Medical Center. Since I will soon be moving to Baguio I chose to do my search for medical services there.

 

Baguio is a good location for retirement because of the cooler weather. It is also a walkable city compared to most places in the Philippines.

 

Yeah, I like the cooler weather. This winter in San Fernando, La Union the weather was fine for me 31-32C highs. But the weather is heating up now with daily highs running 34-35C. Just got my electric bill. 4149 pesos for one month! Most of that I expect is for cooling the 25sqm studio apartment.

 

I already found a new 36-40sqm 2 br apartment in Baguio to rent next month after they finish painting the inside. It has nice solid wood doors inside, nice wood cabinets in the kitchen with glass in the doors, and surprisingly a steel security door with 9 key operated dead bolts and real weather stripping. The location isn't too bad... close enough to walk to session road. Only real downside is that it is down a path from the barangay road with a total of 90 steps. Only 5000 php/month! Same monthly rent as my studio apt but much larger and nicer. In Baguio I expect my monthly electric bill will be a great deal less when I no longer need to use AC.

 

I spent several days looking at apartments found via the classifieds in the local weekly paper the Midland Courier and from sulit. In the end this apartment was found by calling and asking a friend of my girlfriend who lives in Baguio.

 

I will post more info about the new apartment once I move in.

Hello Shipmate,

 

Once again, you've come up with some excellent field report about my home island of Luzon.  

 

THANK YOU SIR, respectfully -- Jake