Healthy Options
Samui may be a relatively small tropical island but there are plenty of healthcare professionals working here to take care of all your medical needs.
Part of Samui’s metamorphosis from back-packer retreat to international tourist hot-spot has been in the area of health services. With the arrival of more tourists comes an increase in accidents, health concerns and the need for medical attention. Similarly, as more foreigners have bought real-estate and relocated here, the need for good quality hospitals has increased.
The swing towards high-end tourism and the real-estate industry targeting retirees all adds to the requirement for better medical care; purely because the age of those being attracted is generally higher. And, unfortunately, as we get older the medical baggage we carry with us often increases, too.
Tourists and short-term visitors tend to have travel insurance which covers them financially should they be unfortunate enough to end up visiting a hospital. That insurance is important but it doesn’t guarantee the standard of care. If you’re in a particular destination and need urgent medical attention the insurance can only guarantee that your treatment at the nearest hospital is paid for. So you need to have confidence in the facilities as much as in the insurance policy.
If you live here full-time, or spend extended visits here, a good medical insurance policy is a ‘must-have’ item. If you’re thinking of buying a property but your existing medical condition is a concern that’s holding you back, then a visit to the island’s hospitals will undoubtedly put your mind at rest.
Samui has no less than five fully-functioning private international hospitals and one government-run hospital. These facilities have all the equipment, experience and trained personnel to deal with any medical emergency or any long-term treatment that you may require.
It’s often the case that any pre-existing conditions are not covered by medical insurance policies. But even that shouldn’t be a major problem. Treatments, medications, surgery, in-patient and out-patient care on Samui are all quick, efficient and very cheap in comparison to many other countries. British people, who have the benefit of the National Health system, may consider this an unnecessary attraction, as any medical requirements are provided free of charge in the UK. But this is a very idealistic view and the number of UK residents who pay into expensive private medical plans is constantly increasing. In fact, a large percentage of British people are now prepared to pay for their treatment in order to cut lengthy waiting times and get what is perceived as a far superior service. If their condition can be improved quickly and cheaply then why wait?
Thailand is one of the world’s leading medical tourism destinations. The high standard of care, excellent facilities, low prices and fantastic environment for convalescing results in large numbers of people from around the world coming here to make use of the medical care on offer, and that includes many British citizens.
So, if people are prepared to travel specifically to visit a hospital here, that should give confidence to those who end up visiting one by necessity rather than by choice.
Medical tourism is big business and hospitals are seeking accreditation to be recognised abroad. In Thailand, it’s particularly popular because many of the medical staff have been trained at prestigious hospitals and universities around the world.
So, whether you’re in need of heart surgery, a hip replacement, cosmetic surgery, or some dental work, it’s all available with virtually no waiting list and a price difference that will usually cover the costs of flights and a good period of time to relax, recover and enjoy the island after your procedure.
In addition to the hospitals around the island, there are many other places that offer services to help keep you healthy. Walk-in clinics generally provide a good quality service and you can often see a doctor very quickly; pharmacies are literally every few hundred metres and these can give qualified medical advice for those less serious ailments; dentists are also plentiful and this is a service where you will see a huge financial saving. Costs of orthodontic treatment is considerably less than in many other countries, yet the standard of care and treatment often more advanced; opticians offer free eye-tests and prescription lenses; and, finally, the many massage establishments can help relieve stress, provide a form of physiotherapy, and even chiropody treatments.
Stress, or the lack of it, is something that anyone buying a home here should consider. Even if you have an existing medical ailment it’s often the case that it’s either stress-related or at least aggravated at times when you are stressed. You may find your condition is improved merely by spending time on the island and partaking in the slower pace and more relaxed lifestyle that the island offers. For example, hypertension (high blood pressure) affects as many as one in three people during their lifetime; many of whom depend on prescribed drugs to control it. It has been known for some people who live on Samui to see such a change in their blood pressure readings that they no longer have to rely on drugs to keep it at an acceptable level.
Another difference here is that many drugs that must be prescribed in other countries can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy. If this is the case for you, and you continue your own treatment once living here, then it’s advisable that you have regular check-ups with a doctor, or at least remain in touch with your own doctor from your home country.
The weather can also play a part in many medical conditions, in particular the cold that affects many countries. On Samui, the warm year-round climate can also have a relieving effect on certain afflictions.
So, if you ever need or choose to have medical care, in any form, you can be confident in the services available on the island. However, the warm weather and less stressful environment may actually relieve you of your previous problems and leave you to enjoy a longer and healthier life here on Samui
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