any western doctor /hospital ?

Posted in: Forums > Living in Kunming • 33 posts • Newest

• • evelyne
    May 14, 2008
    1 post
  • hello, I'm French,I just arrived into Kunming 2 days ago to study. But I feel very bad. I have some cystisis or something like that. At school they gave me something but it seems that this medicine does not work.
    My doctor from France told me to take some NOROXINe or NORFLOXACINE OR CIPROFLOXINE 250. WHERE CAN I FIND THIS SORT OF MEDICINE. The pharmacists do not know. Can someone help me to find a French or English doctor, Hospital or pharmacist knowing that? I can't stand the pains anymore. thank you . I know where to go in Beijing but not here . Lots of thanks
    Evelyne

• • zlif23
    May 15, 2008
    157 posts
  • your medicine is 诺氟沙星 nuo fu sha xing
    english name：Norfloxacin, Baccidal、Barazan、Brazan、Chibroxin、Fulgram、Lexinor、Linxacin、Noflo、Noflox、Nolicin、Norfloxacin
    Glutamate、Norfloxacin
    Lactate、Norfloxacinum、Norfolxacin、Norocin、Noroxin、Noroxine、Sebercim、Uroxacin、Utinor、Yroxacin、Zoroxin
    you can find it in any drug store. just show the chinese name to them.
    and there is a english speaking hospital in kunming but my friend said it was not good. so it is better to find a english/french-chinese speaking friend to go to a normal hospital with you.
    you could find one from here:
    www.fsf-cn.org
    it is a french institute.
    hope u feel better soon.

• • zlif23
    May 15, 2008
    157 posts
  • cystisis in chinese is 膀胱炎pang guang yan.
    i think NOROXINe is the right medicine.
    if it is still not work, you need to go to the hospital to take a drip 输液shu ye. maybe use Penicillin. but u need to do a test first.

• • bucko
    May 18, 2008
    246 posts
  • I have to agree about hospital choice. Do not use Richland. They are not qualified to call themself a clinic, muchless a hospital. Best take your chances at a local hospital. Good luck.

• • Quester
    May 18, 2008
    52 posts
  • My partner and I had been going to that hospital for all our treatment. We thought it must be safe because it is a joint venture supposedly operating by international standards. What have you heard that we haven't?

• • no way
    May 19, 2008
    104 posts
  • have been to richland one time. no complaints. clean
    and professional (unlike chinese hospitals), but also
    expensive compared to the local alternative.

• • seilenna
    May 20, 2008
    1 post
  • if you have a cystite: drink loads of cranberry juice !!! (i don't know the name in chinese, though) It is scientifically tested to be the best medecine and liters of mineral water.
    if it hurts to pee, it is because your urine is too thick so a good trick to ease the pain is to pee while taking a shower. the water softens the concentrated urine.
    accupuncture is doing miracles as well.

• • bucko
    May 23, 2008
    246 posts
  • Well Quester, I have been involved with Richland since before it's opening. I was responsible for getting the in-house dental care dept in operation. My good friend, Simon CHong, was the marketing director for Richland. The key word is "was". He quit some months ago, fed up with the management of Richland. I was enthusiastic about this place from the beginning. Happy to see a "real" hospital in Kunming. On the up side it does have the latest testing and lab equipment so you can be sure to get reliable results with lab tests. It is clean and on the surface a very nice process to receive medical care.
    On the downside the management's concern is solely to generate profits at the expense of any quality healthcare. They only have 2 "retired" regular doctors on staff because they cannot keep any good doctors due to their pay/management policies. Therefore every time you go there you will see different staff and doctors who care little about their job. You will never get any follow-up care or even call backs concerning your test results. More often than not, your files are displaced or lost. I know of 3 incidents where foriegner's treatment (or lack thereof) easily would be called mal practice through mis- diagnosis and total lack of proper treatment. Richland is all to anxious to sell you treatment in order to use their nice new equipment. It is way overpriced for services and medicine.
    I will use Richland for blood tests, shots and the like because they do have new testing equipment. I will not consider having any treatment there whatsoever. Richland is nothing more than a large outpatient clinic. Your best plan would be to use them for initial basic treatment so you can travel directly to Bangkok for decent medical care. If you use them, make sure to personally keep all your records and be very pro active with your treatments there. Double check all your drug and shot treatments and be sure to ask lots of questions about dosages before you take anything.
    Good luck.

• • DanTheMan
    September 18, 2008
    235 posts
  • Richland is a sham. I had a bad experience there and, despite having no medical expertise, it was pretty clear to me that my doctors had no idea what they were doing, and just wanted to pad my bill with tests and diagnostics.

• • rlowe
    September 19, 2008
    25 posts
  • I have to disagree with the above posts. I've been going to Richland on and off over the last 18 months and never experienced anything but professional, enthusiastic care in a clean, private, state of the art environment. If you think Bumrungrad in Bangkok is anything but profit driven you haven't been there in a while.

• • bochi
    May 24, 2009
    11 posts
  • I went to Richland recently with kidney stones which they correctly diagnosed. After that it was all downhill and Bucko's comments are correct. When they wanted a second blood test my ripoff meter went into the red!
    I found the Yunnan Lithiasis Hospital to be excellent. They specialize in Kidney stones and you can get a ultra sound test for about 30Y and it takes only a few minutes. I recommend anyone over about 30 do this.

• • Greginchina
    May 24, 2009
    239 posts
  • oh dear, this is a mixed bag and not too encouraging. we've booked to have our baby in the richland. Their obgyn department seems professional and friendly and so far has the answers we've wanted to hear to most of our questions. They are the only hospital in the city that has private rooms for mother, father and baby together for the whole labour and afterwards. They also seem to be the only hospital that acknowledges what every western pregnancy book says that the best position is absolutely not on your back with legs in the air. We've so far found them to be fairly on the ball but also kind and patient-oriented which is extremely important. There is NEVER any excuse for hospital staff to shout at a patient who asks questions (experienced in Kunming), refuse to allow a 2nd opinion in a life-threating situation just in order to save face (experienced in Kunming and Qingdao), or the most spinechillingly sick and disgusting expecting a hongbao before a procedure (apparently extremely common). Richland might overcharge and give unnecessary tests but doing that in a friendly and caring manner beats being made to feel like your life depends on not offending the doctor's fragile pride which is the norm in most chinese hospitals. Rant over.

• • Danmairen
    May 24, 2009
    427 posts
  • In a country where 98 percent of enrolled university students admit to having copy/pasted full papers and assignments and handed them in to their teachers and professors I don't trust anyone with a degree unless I've see them in action. I doubt medical school is much better or worse.

    Considering how much money these "doctors" charge people, the standard of the education and the fact that you aren't allowed to question a doctor here for face reasons make me very reluctant to visit a hospital unless its a real emergency. On Chinese websites you can find countless examples of how nurses and junior physicians rather'd let a patient die than to question a senior doctor's diagnosis. Keep your face up and back free,, the catchphrase of the Chinese medical system. Feel free to add "skin them for everything they've got" if you want.

• • nnoble
    May 24, 2009
    178 posts
  • I generally agree with the negative comments about Richland. I've been there with an eye condition but after two frustrating visits when all they seemed concerned with was my bank details, I visited Kunming Eye Hospital. The latter made what was later confirmed as the correct diagnosis, offered correct advice, and charged nothing. Furthermore, between us we overcame language difficulties with patience and detailed sketches by the doctor. I would not hesitate in going there again with a minor or emergency eye condition.

    Given time I would opt for the university hospitals in Chiang Mai followed by Bumrungrad (I'm adequately insured) but in an emergency, or for minor injuries, I would get my transport to bypass Richland and head for the relevant local hospital.

    If you are adequately insured with a reputable company they will almost certainly offer the best advice if you contact them. It's in their interest to avoid any chance of medical complications arising from inadequate care.

• • Yuantongsi
    May 24, 2009
    169 posts
  • I found Maria Family Hospital a good hospital, they did do everything by the Chinese book, ie legs in the air, in stirrups etc, things that in Oz went out of fashion in the 70's. They made sure that I had a good rest in our room while my wife was in labour and called me for the exciting bits,, now thats service!

    Dear Greg,

    All the best, I am sure all will be well, but I wouldn't be suprised though if you find after the baby is born that the doctors did everything the same as they do in all Chinese hospitals. I also guess that they will tell you to do a C-Section.

    I think that while private hospitals in Kunming have better service and often a retired experienced doctor in charge of your case they do not have the facilities to handle really difficult pregnancies, but government hospitals are most likely the same.

    Make sure you have a blood donor lined up,,its better to provide blood than use the hospitals.

    i have used Maria myself (even though its called a ladies and kids hospital) for some eye infections and general checkups and found them to be really good, but of course little or no English is spoken.

• • Greginchina
    May 25, 2009
    239 posts
  • thanks yuantongsi.

    I think we're pretty well prepared and realise it won't be exactly as we expect but at the very least there is a nod to the notion that the patient may be a human :-) I've had a couple of very disturbing experiences in other hospitals which I don't want to go into here.

    As for blood, they have assured us they have it but we'll look into a donor too. Thanks for the advice.

• • bucko
    May 25, 2009
    246 posts
  • I wish you luck with your delivery. Don't be too surprised if you have a new doctor attending you when the day comes. Keep yuor records handy for him since he won't have a clue about any prior issues. Pay attention to all meds they want to give you and watch doses. They make regular mistakes dozing meds.

• • piers
    May 25, 2009
    147 posts
  • I'd pay a hongbao at Richland just to make sure you get the doctor you like and trust. Do you really care about a few hundred kuai when it comes to your wife and baby's well being....I'd think not.

    The problem for many foreigners in Kunming is knowing which hospital to go to for which problem. I have met incompetent doctors in YunDa, Gongren (next to west train station), and the Red Cross. On the other hand my friend had emergency surgery in YunDa for a ruptured spleen and was treated pretty well, I had a great doctor in the Chinese Medicine Hospital (WuYi Lu) for a broken hand, and Richland looked after another friend of mine pretty well.

    There used to be an American doctor in Km (Bob maybe?) working for an organsation called Project Grace. If you could find him or the org'n they might be able to advise on good places. Otherwise ask a local - I got my last tip from a taxi driver and it proved to be the best medical advice I've had.

    Final word: Avoid Red Cross hospital at all costs! It's foul.

• • Greginchina
    May 26, 2009
    239 posts
  • of course i'd give a hongbao if it was necessary. doesn't stop me finding the whole concept repulsive.

    It won't be a new doctor, all has already been arranged so its all looking quite good.

    Actually having a doctor at all is a novel concept for westerners. In most of Europe babies are delivered by midwives and a consultant only comes into it if something goes wrong.

    In China it seems the midwife doesn't really do that much and the consultant handles the birth.

• • cricketbird
    June 2, 2009
    8 posts
  • I just visited Richland for a simple blood test for a condition being monitored by my US doctor. I told them I just wanted the test, and not to see a doctor.

    When I returned to pick up my results, three men and a nurse cornered me as I walked in. They were very concerned about the numbers (only slightly out of normal range, and actually quite good for me and my condition), and wanted to admit me to the hospital. They had already called an endocrinologist who was on his way. When I said I didn't want to see the endocrinologist, they tried to make me feel guilty for wasting his time, and then talked to me about the seriousness of my "problem" for almost an hour before I could get away with my results. It was like buying a used car, the "sell" for additional services was so strong. I appreciated their concern, but not their ignoring my repeated statements that I HAD a doctor and wasn't in any life-threatening situation.

    As for the lab, the numbers seemed exactly right for how I'm feeling right now and where my Dr. was predicting I would be. I'm glad they took my problem seriously, but really didn't appreciate the pressure.
    I've never been to a Chinese doctor or hospital, but I've heard mixed stories, from excellent to terrifying. It's a real pity that Richland isn't living up to its hype as a western-style hospital. As long as I just need blood tests I'll go to them, but might shop around if I need more thorough care.

• • kathryn
    June 2, 2009
    27 posts
  • Where is the most reliable place for an x-ray or ultrasound?
    i know english speaking doctors are hard to come by...but a little spoken english would be a help.

• • bochi
    July 4, 2009
    11 posts
  • Warning! There is a new women's hospital in town. It is heavily advertised everywhere. The name is Kunming He Wan Jia Fu Ke Hospital. Fu Ke means gynecology in Chinese. My Chinese wife went there for menstrual problems.

    They diagnosed it as a uterine infection and wanted to perform a surgical operation prior to which she had several days of 'cleansing' and the usual IV drips. We became suspicious that they were more interested in our money and went for a second opinion.
    After two second opinions at two different hospitals it was confirmed the not only was the surgery they recommended not necessary neither were their 'treatments"!
    Reminded me of my experience at Richland.

    You have been warned. Don't let anyone you care about go there.

• • Liumingke1234
    July 4, 2009
    90 posts
  • I went to Yunnan Lithiasis Hospital because I thought I might have a kidney stone(turns out I didn't have one). It cost me about 53 yuan. My experience was good. My wife is Chinese so it was that much easier. The doctor seems diappointed that I didn't have one. Just wanted to let you know.

• • stevo
    September 8, 2009
    2 posts
  • I had my prenatal care at Maria hospital. I did not like the care there and decided to switch to Richland -where I gave birth last month. The cost was the same with Maria and Richland only I had a private room and my husband could be with me the entire time. I had the same doctor of my choice the whole time and they called her in the middle of the night for delivery. I have no real complaints! When things were offered -asked of me or the baby that I didn't want I explained how I wanted things and they were done all my way! If you have any questions I'm happy to answer. I also have them following a thyroid problem -I get my own results and self medicate -they don't like my levels but never give me trouble or have me see a doctor -I just get the labs and leave. I don't know how they would handle a real problem as my delivery was smooth with no problems.

• • seahorse62
    September 8, 2009
    87 posts
  • Stevo I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind. Could you send me your email at i_wish_i_were_a_seahorse@yahoo.com

• • Greginchina
    September 8, 2009
    239 posts
  • like stevo we are using the richland for ante-natal and birth.

    While i understand and appreciate the concerns mentioned in this thread and I might think twice about going there for something minor or for something major which may need Bangkok or Singapore, we've had nothing but good experiences in their OBGYN department.

    Most Kunming hospitals don't allow the father to be present at birth, have doctors who prod and poke in ante-natal sessions far harder than is necessary causing unnecessary discomfort, have communal toilets for delivering mothers, do not recognise any other birthing position than on your back with your legs in the air etc....

    The Richland has proven both accommodating and caring but also knowledgeable and precautionary. One of the most important things for childbirth is comfort and the Richland seems to recognize this while still paying careful attention to all the other factors.

• • seahorse62
    September 8, 2009
    87 posts
  • Thanks Greg this is very good to know. We really don't want and can't afford to take off the Thailand for a couple of months. How do you get an appointment and does anyone in the OBGYN dept speak any English? Also I looked at Richland's website and was wondering about this membership plan. Do you have to have it? We have insurance from the US that covers us overseas.

• • sauterelle
    November 15, 2009
    2 posts
  • We just had a baby at Richland, not having known about this thread before. We have had previous birth experiences with a certified midwife and at the U of Chiang Mai hospital. Richland was the poorest experience and the most expensive, but thankfully mother and baby are healthy. It was not as bad as it sounds like many hospitals are, no stirrups, no forced epidural or episotomy, no problems about husband in room or rooming in with the baby.

    However, though we had been told directly by the doctor that an IV would not be required prior to any trauma, the same doctor insisted on an IV at the start even though there was no signs of trouble at any point (the labor was short and without complications). The nurse inserting the IV seemed inexperienced at finding a vein and the needle caused quite a bit of pain throughout the night, but the nurses refused to allow it to be removed, even when the original litre of saline was empty.

    We never saw the MD again after the birth, and no checkup of either the mother or baby was offered before checking out. The excessive advice from the nurses was contradictory and a mixture of traditional foolishness (no baths for mother for a month), the worst of old-fashioned medicine (the baby is so hungry, she needs formula and water, not just breast milk), and a unwillingness on the part of some, though not all, to do or find someone to do general house-cleaning chores by the nurses (bed sheets not changed for three days, bath towel only provided after four requests, etc., we cleaned the bathroom ourselves.) Several times we were told, "that's not my job, wait she comes back at 2..." or else we were just told "一会儿" (in a while) and never got a response.

    Smoking is not actively controlled in the hospital, so was a general stench of cigarettes on the maternity floor during the daytime outpatient hours and a liquified-gas-burning outdoor heater is set up near the nurses station to warm the nurses with no ventilation. (The nurses confidently told us that the gas-burning heater produced no fumes.) We were charged Y1000 more than the stated cost on the printed brochures in the lobby and offered three different flimsy explanations, yet they could produce an itemized receipt from their computer system to account for the disparity, and so finally left after waiting for an hour　without detailed receipt.

    However, the hospital staff were generally friendly to us, and to a certain degree we were able to persuade them that we weren't complete idiots and actually knew a bit about caring for a newborn (we brought the other kids for proof).

    There were a few folks that did seem to be trying hard to help us within what appeared to be a very poorly managed system, and they were very prompt about producing a birth certificate.

    It is far inferior to the several Thai hospitals we have used in Chiang Mai and Bangkok and more expensive, and as far as we could tell none of the doctors or nurses on call at night speak English functionally (fortunately we speak Chinese), and none of the "essential information" provided the patient is in English, except for the Yunnan Province vaccination record book, so Richland is not necessarily any more user-friendly for giving birth if one doesn't speak much Chinese than non "international" hospitals in Kunming, though they do try to have an English speaker at the door during outpatient hours.

    But to put it back in perspective, none of the frustrations we experienced put us in danger at any point, as far as we could just as non-medical professionals, the medical care was adequate, it was just the patient/customer services aspect that was lacking, and of course cultural differences about how to care for newborns. In spite of it's claim to be "international" if there are any doctors or nurses educated outside of mainland working there to bring a more international perspective, we never met them. Though it looks different from other local hospitals in that they have nicer facilities, equipment, etc. all the doctors and staff we met appear to be trained at the same schools that the the other doctors and nurses in Kunming are, and therefore their approach to medicine seems to be a combination of traditional Chinese, traditional 1950s Western medicine, and some more modern ideas about childbirth. Probably the best thing about Richland compared to other local hospitals is that it has very few inpatients, so it's not very crowded, one doesn't have to queue for the elevator, it's somewhat quiet at night, etc. If you anticipate a smooth delivery and speak Chinese fairly well and can afford it (Y6000 - Y10,000 according to the material in the lobby, though you'll probably be charged more than that), then it could be a good option.

• • RabbitEx
    May 17, 2011
    5 posts
  • Hello, I suspect I got Chlamidia (a sexually transmitted genital infection).

    Can someone recommend of a trusted urologist with an advanced enough testing equipment/lab test quality ?

    Appreciate your help !

• • bethinkunming
    April 29, 2012
    6 posts
  • Where is the best place to get care for an eye infection (possibly viral or bacterial) and sore throat and swollen lymph glands. Thanks! (And where is the best place to get safe medication?)

• • Yuantongsi
    April 29, 2012
    169 posts
  • I would try the International Clinic, if they are closed for the holidays then go to the YunDa Hospital at the back of Xiao Xi Men Walmart or the Red Cross Hospital at QingNian Road near the zoo

• • Yereth
    April 29, 2012
    23 posts
  • I would be careful when going to YunDa hospital. I had a pretty bad eye infection a few weeks ago and also went to YunDa. They were correct on it being a bacterial infection, after which the 3 giggling girls looking into my problem decided I needed a drip, 2 types of eyedrops and 1 type of eye cream. All of these were antibiotics. I laughed and left, called up a friend – also a trained doctor – who told me to only take Amoxicillin orally. The infection was visibly gone in 2 days (I kept taking the antibiotic for a week though).

    Also, if your problem is not caused by a bacterial infection, taking antibiotics can possibly make it worse. Many of the doctors here, and especially people working in pharmacies, will give you wide-spectrum antibiotics for every problem, so always make sure you know what they're giving you.

    Richland will usually give a decent diagnosis, but make sure you go there during regular hours as a lot of their better doctors / specialists won't be on duty in evenings / weekends / holidays.
    http://gokunming.com/[...]

• • crazy.laowai
    April 29, 2012
    146 posts
  • Moi, j'etais dans un hopital chinois a Pekin (excuse le manque d'accents) pour le TB, et je leur ai donne les noms de certains medicaments. Ils les ont trouve les noms chinois en ligne sans probleme. Bonne chance!

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