Medical Evacuation Help Please

My wife's medical exam for Canadian visa was done at Clinic Abreu, it is one of the 2 clinics they accept results from, so it must have good reputation.

Yes

Clinic Abreau in Gazcue or CEDIMAT at the Plaza De Salud. CEDIMAT is the best and most expensive on the island. I believe associated with Boston General
http://www.cedimat.com/aniversario.asp
http://clinicaabreu.com.do/u/indexus.htm

Either should be able handle the problem

where is you friend at?

Hospiten just outside of Beron (close to Punta Cana airport) is also very good. Quick too.

If possible for him I'd recommend HOMS in Santiago. Excellent service.

Clinic Abreu is where the US Embassy sends all the Peace Corps workers. It is also the one that has the top recommendations from the French residents in Las Terrenas. (According to the World Health Organization, France has the best medical system in the world). I would not worry about the care in Clinic Abreu. It is top quality. What I would be concerned about is if he is alone, has anyone to talk to you?

If you do not have international medical insurance that will cover medivac, I doubt that you will find any charitable organization that would cover this expense. Even few international insurance companies would authorize a transfer out of the country for treatment of a staph infection.

Who is your on the ground contact? Was he just here on vacation, or business? Have you informed the Embassy?

How can we help you?

Try two things.

Call the U.S. Coast Guard in San Juan, PR and ask if they would consider a humanitarian flight to evacuate your friend. There is an Air Station in Borinquen, PR which is a very short flight away from Santo Domingo.

If the Coast Guard is unable to provide a medevac ask them about private helicopter service in Puerto Rico.

If your friend is in serious condition there are a couple of fine hospitals in San Juan that can probably treat him.

The phone number for the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in San Juan is
(787) 289-2042.

Call them now.

Big Dan said:

The phone number for the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in San Juan is
(787) 289-2042.

Call them now.

Click to expand...

I am sure they will send a cutter to Haina for a Staph infection!

Cutter? Nope! A helicopter might do the trick. I am retired from the Coast Guard and served in San Juan for many years. They might just have the resources in the form of of their own helicopters or perhaps a private service from San Juan or Mayaguez.

The point is that the guy is an American and his insurance will probably cover hospitalization in Puerto Rico, which is U.S. territory, but you already know that Tambo.

;-)

You're kidding?

Big Dan said:

Cutter? Nope! A helicopter might do the trick. I am retired from the Coast Guard and served in San Juan for many years. They might just have the resources in the form of of their own helicopters or perhaps a private service from San Juan or Mayaguez.

The point is that the guy is an American and his insurance will probably cover hospitalization in Puerto Rico, which is U.S. territory, but you already know that Tambo.

;-)

Click to expand...

You're kidding, really? The US Coast Guard would come in and take a private citizen out of a reputable hospital here in the DR over to PR? Did you ever do that? I can't imagine why this would come under the heading of "search and rescue"-- it is not as if the man is lost at sea. He is in the best hospital in the country. I would certainly stay in Clinic Abreu than go to Mayaguez.

Annie,

Sorry my message isn't clear.

Yes, the Coast Guard has and does provide humanitarian assistance under certain situations. Rescue at sea is not all they do. You will just have to trust what I'm telling you. I did the Coast Guard thing for 27 years.

I don't know that this situation fits, but it obviously doesn't hurt to call. The worst that can happen is that the Coast Guard will say no.

If the Coast Guard doesn't provide resources, as I've said, they will likely know who to contact in Puerto Rico, and can at the very least help the OP with putting the correct people in touch to get this person into the U.S. medical system for certainly less than $20K.

Now, as I read the first post again, this guy says that his friend is dying. He also essentially said $20,000 is too much to save his friend's life. There are less costly alternatives.

And lastly, there is an insurance issue which must be dealt with. It has nothing to do with the quality of care in DR; however, the friend is "dying" in a DR clinic and the OP is looking for an alternative. I have provided that.

The Coast Guard primarily helps "private" citizens. Private citizens pay their salary.

Take it as you will!

OK, Thanks Dan, I had no idea that one could call the Coast Guard for things like that. My nephew is just graduating from the Academy so we are a proud Coastie family now! I sent a PM to the OP put he did not reply and has not been back to the board to I guess the crisis is over.......hope it had a good ending. (I HATE that- when you reach out to people who ask for help and they don't bother answering!)

I wish him a very successful career and I hope he takes care of the Coast Guard like those who served before him! If you can make commencement please go!