Health care for Haitian in DR

penboy

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Sep 4, 2011
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I assume that Haitians living in DR have to pay for their healthcare. I've befriended (or did she befriend me:ermm:) a Haitian girl who works in a bar on Sosua beach. She has a problem with her eye (bloodshot) and says the hospital have told her that it needs to be cleaned. Will she have to pay for this and if so what sort of cost would be involved?
 

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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She probably has conjuntivitis, just buy her Neosporin Opthalmic (Neomycin) in the pharmacy and administer 2 drops in each eye 3 x a day for a week. You could also take her to the doctor and pay RD300 for a consult. Maybe you will get a free-bee when her eye gets better!

doctor t'
 

SKing

Silver
Nov 22, 2007
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Conjunctivitis is very contagious. I hope she's not touching peoples drinking glasses or food....or anything for that matter.

SHALENA
 

belmont

Bronze
Oct 9, 2009
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If it doesn't clear up with a course of Neospori, better think about ocular herpes.
 

penboy

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Sep 4, 2011
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Thanks for suggestions. She has used eye drops and it looks better. However, she says that if she does not have it cleaned at the hospital, she will lose sight in it. The cost is 5,000 pesos. She has not asked me for the money, but I get the feeling I'm been given a sob story ready for the request.
 

Lolitula

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Mar 16, 2011
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Hi Penboy...

I think you oughta listen to Shalena, as she's the professional in this case! I've only just gotten my insurance to kick in, having been treated for a whole bunch of awfulness (Bronchitis, Salmonella, Brucella Abortus, Amoebas and Typhoid...all at the SAME time! Gross!) but even then I never had to pay more than a few hundred pesos to visit the doctor. The meds were most expensive, about $200. in total for the first batch (it got worse after first treatment and had to have more...it sucked!)

Anyway, I digress ;) I think maybe 5k is a bit steep...but she should see a doctor. If you can't help or don't feel comfortable doing so, maybe her work can help out...you never know :) But like I said, Shalena probably has the best insight here!
 

belgiank

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Jun 13, 2009
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I am an optometrist by training, and I took a Dominican and poor friend to a specialist in STI (very good recommendation by our own HB here). As I suspected, he suffered from a perforated ulcer in the cornea. The specialist asked for 1,000 rds, including cost of the medicines (I bought one ingredient on top in the pharmacy of the hospital which costed me 320 rds). He had to go back after a week for a check-up and new medication, which was another 1,000rds.

Problem (a dangerous and highly complicated one) solved by a highly trained ophtalmologist for 2,320rds, with no insurance involved.

My highest respects for the specialist (Dominican) involved.

So, for 5 thou you are taken for a ride
 

penboy

New member
Sep 4, 2011
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I am an optometrist by training, and I took a Dominican and poor friend to a specialist in STI (very good recommendation by our own HB here). As I suspected, he suffered from a perforated ulcer in the cornea. The specialist asked for 1,000 rds, including cost of the medicines (I bought one ingredient on top in the pharmacy of the hospital which costed me 320 rds). He had to go back after a week for a check-up and new medication, which was another 1,000rds.

Problem (a dangerous and highly complicated one) solved by a highly trained ophtalmologist for 2,320rds, with no insurance involved.

My highest respects for the specialist (Dominican) involved.

So, for 5 thou you are taken for a ride

Thanks for the confirmation.:)

I did have my suspicions and it's good to know some real facts and figures.
 

Manzana

Member
Jan 23, 2007
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Thanks for the confirmation.:)

I did have my suspicions and it's good to know some real facts and figures.

My take from the well informed comments and cost figures is you can offer to take her to the doctor and pay for it without risking a fortune...and if she's happy great...and if she starts making excuses for why you should just give her the money...you know it's not really about that.
 
May 29, 2006
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Thanks for suggestions. She has used eye drops and it looks better. However, she says that if she does not have it cleaned at the hospital, she will lose sight in it. The cost is 5,000 pesos. She has not asked me for the money, but I get the feeling I'm been given a sob story ready for the request.

5000 pesos seems like a lot in the DR, even for a foreigner. Ask someone local about it or take her to Dr Bob the Vet. Any Ex-Pat can tell you how to get to his place. Scamming for ailments is very common and some doctors are in on it.