Puerto Plato and Medical Services

MikeKO

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Apr 12, 2002
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In my lurking and searchs I have seen many posts that assert that if you want good medical services, you need to confine yourself to Santo Domingo or Santiago, and specifically Puerto Plato, Sousa, etc. do not have much services.

What specifically is available (or not) in the north that causes these comments?

Thanks
Mike
 

Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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I live in Sosua. For ailments that are appropriate for a general practioner I see either the two doctors at Clinica Gil & Garcia or I see Dr. Plante, a German expatriate, at ServiMed in Cabarete (mostly the latter). They are good general practioners and refer you if they believe you need more than they can give.

I have been having a lot of trouble with lung infections and for this I have been seeing a specialist in the respratory system in Puerto Plata. I think she is an excellent doctor and I have great confidence in her.

Undoubtedly there are some other good doctors in Puerto Plata, but during the 12 years that my wife and I lived in Samana we got accustomed to going to Santo Domingo since the doctors in Samana were at far end of competency scale. So we have, over the years, become associated there with specialists in a variety of fields that are the equal of doctors in the US. In fact, many did their medical school and post graduate work in the US or Canada.

Now that we live in Sosua, we have talked about going to Santiago when we need specialists. The medical service we have gotten there has been excellent. But we have great confidence in the doctors we see in Santo Domingo and they are knowledgeable about us. So sometimes to avoid the trip we can call and get help over the phone.

Under construction in Santiago is a huge medical center being built by some doctors in the US. When it is completed, it is supposed to be at least the equal of anything in Santo Domingo.

So in answer to your question, there are good general medical services available in Sosua/Cabarete, but no specialists. There are specialists in Puerto Plata; my one experience has been excellent. But the best specialists, in most cases, are found in Santo Domingo and Santiago, just as in the US the best specialists are not found in the small towns and cities.

Hope this helps.
 

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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Scary post!

This Dr. Plante, a German? Practicing medicine in Cabarete? Where and when did he get his license? Which University here did the write up on his degree? Man, that is scary!! remember the guy doing "Hyperbaric Chamber"? The cure-all for everything??

As for Neumologists: Dr. Fernando Hernando, in Cl?nica Corominas in Santiago is pretty fine M/D. Lot shorter ride, great doctor.

As for the new hospital HOMS : HOspital Metropolitano de Santiago, is not being built by U.S. Doctors, but rather by many local people, particularly Dr. Julio Hazim. The project envisions a very close association with places like the Cleveland Clinic, Mount Sinai, Jackson Memorial, Mass General, among others, where U.S. doctors can come and get training in things that are common here and rare there; likewise U.S. doctors will impart classes and share experiences with local staffs. D.R. doctors will also rotate to the States.

Not only that, but professional exchanges will also be with Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil..Quite a project.

With the new roads opening up, the North Coast and the Cibao will be extremely well served by this and other centers....

HB
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Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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HB, was it necessary to raise questions about competence of Dr. Plante? No need to try for a laugh in every post.

Dr. Plante is an excellent doctor, graduate of medical schools in Germany, and has lived and practiced in Cabarete for many years. He established ServiMed with several Dominican doctors and is licensed to practice in the DR. I recommend him highly as a general practioner.

Appreciate the correction re HOMS. Based my comment on something read in the initial publicity that indicated project was being spearheaded and at least partially financed by doctors presently practicing in the US. If it comes to pass as envisioned, it will be an asset to the DR in general and to the north coast/Cibao in particular.

Ken
 

Hillbilly

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Ken, I wasn't trying for a laugh. I am truly preoccupied about this guy. Have you seen his "Exequator" ? His Dominican license to practice.? If you have, well hooray. There are a lot of people practicing here without any official or legal status....

I would imagine that there are Dominican M.Ds in the States that have accumulated some major cash that will be invested in this new hospital. It will be a great hideout on non-declared income, wouldn't you think??

BTW, are you and wife up for a beer at Eddy's on Wednesday at 3:00p.m.??

Hb
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Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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The comment was off base.

Yes, Dr. Plante is licensed, unlike a number of foreign doctors. But at least some of them have been reported by other doctors and have lost their practice.

Suffering with the grippe that turned into bronchitis, so we had better make it another time.

No comment re the doctors who invest in HOMS. More important is what the hospital will mean to the country and the greater Santiago area.

I am not the stick-in-the-mud you might think from my responses. But when a thread begins with a serious question, rather than one of the topics often found in the Open section, I feel an obligation to the person who initiated the thread to stick to the subject and not let it get steered in a different direction.
 

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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Come on Ken, I am on the thread (except for the beer invite)

The question was about medical services.

You mentioned a German M.D. in Cabarete.

That lit a red light for me.

I asked about his license-I did not mention his competence.

You say he is licensed.....end of story.

However, please remember that the POP area has been a scenario for some really wierd practioners.....

Regards,

HB
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Update Ken it is always good to be wary.
The guy's name is Plaut. He is not licensed to practice in the DR and he is associated with Dr. Nelio Tatis from Sosua. The reason I was given as to why he has not been encarcerated is that he has limited his practice to the clients of LTI there in Cabarete, which are German speaking in the main., and therefore is not stepping on anyone's toes at the moment.
Only if you can give me his Number of Exequator, can this be refuted....and I will check with the AMD
 
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