Alright, alright. I understand that people are primarily concerned with their spleen not exploding.

But I don't really think it's accurate to suggest that all western doctors are superior to all chinese doctors and provide better treatment and that all western doctors are infallible.

And as usual, I'm armed with LINKS! Ha ha.

www.dailymail.co.uk/[...]

Around 100,000 people have been misdiagnosed with diabetes – causing many to get the wrong drugs or needless treatment.

By all accounts this clinic is an asset to Kunming in terms of medical care. 'My' god forbid, if I am ever in need, then this place will figure strongly on a list of places to consult. The place is here and it would be perverse to act in any other way.

A single voice on here has asked people to look past rational selfish interest and consider, hypothetically, the ethics of organised religion in using medical relief as a possible trojan horse to evangelise an alien belief system into another culture which already has belief systems which have served, and arguably still do serve, to cater for the specific needs of the native society. Five basic principles of Confucianism are taught in schools in China which form a behavioural model to keep the family together. Tailor made for a society without universal welfare. And this is just one thread of a patchwork of beliefs and practices that make things work. How might an alien 'god' impact on this?

Set aside self interest and consider if it is possible, even remotely possible, that the widespread introduction of Christianity could be as perverse and destructive, in social terms, as the viruses, introduced by 'well meaning' Christian missionaries, into remote tribespeople whose immune systems were unable to respond and who subsequently died. Well meaning, or just blind, selfish, inconsiderate ignorance?

Such missionaries had and still today have blind faith, often combined with sheer arrogance that their 'god' is the only god that anyone needs. The arrogance and ignorance is beyond belief. In Haiti, Christian groups moved in with military precision to prey (spelling intended) on the vulnerable with the goal of religious conversion. Treatment was conditional in very many cases and was subsequently widely condemned. Religious evangelists deliberately target the sick, the vulnerable, the illiterate and the naive - the easy targets. Get them when they're down.

A single individual has asked for people to pause and consider. That voice until now has been drowned out and shouted down. No doubt the mob will now join in and stick the boot in. Why? Why not just 'consider' the ethics of what might be going on? Nobody is demanding or a suggesting a boycott. It would be silly. No one is suggesting the medical provision of this clinic is poor. Far from it.

One person has suggested looking at the broader picture and they get pilloried by the mob. The unthinking, wild west lynch mob mentality kicks in. And then they go to church to pray.

Call me selfish i have received some terrible medical care in this country and it all can be contributed to doctors not listening to my symptoms and jumping to the wrong conclusions. I have also received some very good care when friends and my spouse have helped bridge language barrier. It gives me a lot of piece of mind knowing their is a clinic where i can communicate my concerns and doctors will listen. I am willing to pay more for that service and do not mind if my payment within reason is helping give someone else medical care. I do understand what Magnifico is saying, but when it comes to my health i will swallow my principles and ignore much for the sake of good care especially when i am in pain.

On a slightly side issue, can GoK please set up a proper Listing page for the Clinic soon, similar to the one for Richland int. Hosp, so people can review their expriences there, good or bad (and find the place, if they so wish!).

I don't think a blanket could cover all organized charitable cares or cross border humanitarian programs in the whole world. If one wishes to examine one particular charitable operation, whether undue pressure is put on recipients, then citing what happened in one part of the world as if that is the proof, is neither fair nor scientific, if one claims to be objective and wish to appear standing on a higher moral plateau. The power of few individuals made a world of difference, under tremandous peer pressure, as evident in the case of the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, that's why I am still hopeful. :-)

I would like to know more about health facilities for foreigners in Kunming. I found a Google+ page of an "International Park Clinic" at Haiyuan North Road, Wuhua, Kunming 云南省昆明市五华区海源北路 goo.gl/maps/2HLra; No telephone, no other details. Does anybody has more information? Thankyou

@michaelf

When thinking about healthcare in general, it is worth remembering that sometimes you may need a hospital.

Chinese hospitals do not have the best reputation, but actually I did get very good treatment at KunHua hospital. That is the colloquial name. The First Peoples Hospital of Yunnan Province. This is listed as an international hospital, 157 Jinbi Lu Listing and map here www.echinacities.com/[...] There is a new wing (tall building) with all modern equipment. Nice wards.

Going private was not expensive. An angioplasty, and 2 weeks stay, with drugs, x-ray, CT, and nursing was about 50 000 RMB. This included one week in coronary care ICU.

The local hospitals are getting better. Just pick the right one.

Provisos:

1. You need a Chinese speaking person.

2. The nurses only do medical care, if you need someone to wash and feed you, etc. you need a family member (or there are ayis you can engage for a fee at the hospital).
3. You need to arrive at a pre-selected hospital. Do some research if you can. I appreciate this is not always possible for acute cases.

@michaelf
Not sure if this is the one you are after but, as mentioned above, the Kunming International Clinic is located on the first floor of the Yunnan Kidney Hospital (云南肾脏病医院) at the northwest intersection of Xi Yuan Lu(西园路) and Qi Xiang Lu(气象路) near the old KIA campus in Yan Jia Di Xiao Qu(严家地小区). To make an appointment, call 411-9100 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (English spoken).

This thread reminded me of something....

When Ronald Reagan was taken to the hospital after being shot and regained consciousness, he looked up at the doctors and nurses and said, "I hope you're all Republicans."

Ha ha!

Could anyone please tell me if this clinic offer any kind of ob/gyn services or consultation? How do you know if the doctors are qualified, is there a web page to see their qualifications etc?