Healthcare

Healthcare

In recent times, I've haven't had much need for health visits; only once needed to go into hospital for a voluntary procedure to remove my wisdom teeth. So my mind gets drawn kicking and screaming into the idea that I will be spending money on health insurance that I don't need. However when that emergency does come around I don't want to be racking up a huge debt.

Lao healthcare system is not exactly the exemplar of modern medicine although anecdotally I hear its slowly improving. Most of the expat websites and forums I've visited (and Embassy advice) all indicate that the services over the boarder into Thailand in private hospitals are preferable and of reliable standard. In Nong Khai, just over the boarder from Vientiane, I hear the facilities are great for a check up with English speaking doctors that would even understan the drole rambling of a sick Australian. At around about 100 bucks for a check-up its probably something I could schedule on one of the visits to the laid-back capital every year.

From Champassak in the south, the border crossing at Chong Mek opens access to the city of Ubon Ratchatani which also has private hospitals (eg. Rajavej Ubolratchatani Hospital) that one could use. If these regional Thai facilities didn't provide the special care required, a transfer to Bangkok could be arranged. That level of healthcare isn't cheap so insurance would be the option and whilst I'm kicking and screaming I got to admit, I'm not getting any younger.

Insurance
So there are some popular health insurance companies, Laos and Thailand sharing the big ones (eg. Cygna and Bupa International) . Looking at Cygna, a year would cost me approx 1000USD according to an online quote for their most basic cover but I tend to think it would suffice. I'd imagine the others would be of a similar order of magnitude.

Private Hospital - Ubon Ratchatani

Plus lets not forget the self diagnosis options :) Something I became a bit of a fan of previously . You see, one of the great things about Laos is you can get many of what would be controlled medicines in other countries off-the-shelf in pharmacies everywhere (including antibiotics). The stuff that I've previously purchased was pretty cheap.

Now, I'm fortunate. I've had almost all vaccinations that would be recommended in recent times. I reckon it's help me a lot in my travels, with only 1 mild case of traveller's diarrhea to complain about: Winning. But if you weren't me, I've read you can get almost a full suite of them in Nong Khai for around 300 bucks.
Vaccinations
This helpful site gives you a gist of want I'm talking about in terms of vaccinations:
SOURCE:  http://sea.msh-intl.com/en/health_guide-health_guide_by_country-health_insurance_laos

Don Det
Don Det just would be the paradise that it was if it wasn't remote. But it is still on a major transport link that comes from Cambodia and goes through all the way to Vientiane crossing other transport corridors to Thailand an Vietnam as it tracks north. This allows it to be accessible to roadways tourists whilst still being a little bit forgotten from the rest of Laos.

Don Det itself does not have any medical facilities but there is a small facility on the bridge-linked island of Don Khon: you might be able to get a tetanus shot from the nurses there if you're lucky. Don Det is around 3 hours south of Pakse by Bus, just over an hour from Stung Treng in Cambodia and you could probably make Ubon Ratchatani in around 4.5 hours. If there is an emergency, you'd be best off chartering mini-van to take you where you need to go.  Which for many would sound like a lot but many people in regional Australia are those kind of distances from hospital care. There is definitely these kind of tradeoffs in living remote.

Life on the Rim
Obviously there's pluses and minuses about living out on the rim of civilisation, but being Asia there's a lot more people in Southern Champassak than comparable places in Australia. I recall last year, an Indian national fell sick on Don Det; I'm not sure of what. He was bed-ridden and gradually lost energy. Waited too long before going to Pakse hospital and by that time there wasn't anything that they could do for him. Conversely, I've heard people on motorcycle accidents getting patched up there and leaving with a smile; albeit with pains from their bruising. All in all, do as the Romans do I reckon and head to Thailand if there is anything invasive, if you have particular medicinal allergies or more importantly have a deteriorating condition.

Pakse Hospital

Support Network
And yeah, friends and family are necessary. Being a hermit doesnt help and natural medicine is what you take on your way to a hospital!  The wide flowing waters around 4000 Islands seem to wade of mosquitos some what but don't be fooled. The number one disease here is Dengue Fever, so maybe there's something to wearing real shirts an long pants as the locals do.

Lao Cuisine
In Laos, there is a lot more options for eating healthy. With no McDonalds in sight and a culture that promotes fresh ingredients and healthy options from their cultural heritage many people will find themselves living a healthier life. Try and do the same and remember loads of chilli and garlic will help your immune system acclimatize.

For when that time comes to give birth, I reckon the best choice would be to do so in Vientiane's hospitals, with close access to Thailand if necessary.

Black Magic

Oh, it would be remiss of me not to mention the spiritual solutions. Some shamans can draw tattoos on your body that will protect you from illness as long as you follow a set of life-rules(Don't do fun stuff like drink alcohol, smoke) but yeah burn some candles, see some monks and get healed by faith if you can. Although, I don't think these actually help if you get hit by a car :s . So you still might want to keep modern medicine in your holster.

Next Blog
Well I'm sure that's not everything but a little bit of food for thought. I've been researching Earthbag building for the next one. Seems pretty versatile.

What Life Should You Choose

In 2013, I fell in love with Laos; I also fell in love in Laos. Now I have family, I need to do what's best for them but sometimes I question what that really is?

 You see, my parents came from a small Island nation to Australia to seek new opportunities and a better life. It provided significant opportunities for me which assisted me to start an engineering career. But life can feel too constricted and confusingly materialistic here. I haven't been able to cultivate a close community that I see regularly and, if I'm honest, life here can be somewhat
underwhelming. Most of my friends don't love their jobs and I find myself jealous from the stories I've heard of really successful people. What they always seem to have in common is a passion for what they are doing and enthusiasm for life. I felt that too back in my days in Laos so what am I doing here?

Mostly the lessons from my parents: what this country has is a good education system that gives everyone the opportunity to study should they want to. A modern health care system that is of world standard and generally accessible to the population at large. High paying jobs and career continuums that take you through to retirement. A system of superannuation that provides greater security for when you reach working age. Good access to services to electricity an water. And if wanted to get my own home I could look at doing that an getting it paid off in around 30 years. I like having all those things and what to provide the same if not more for my family, but how much is it really worth? And could I get those things without committing to a 30 year life plan. That is way too much pressure.

So I want to explore here an alternative life. What would one need to live a commensurate life in the developing country of Laos? Could I get all the enjoyment of an interesting life lived there with none of the setbacks?  Hence this blog which I hope is more of a collaborative think tank. I hope anyone with idea or alternative perspective can contribute. I'll provide updates as we go on furthers. Things to consider specific to context of Don Det or perhaps we should consider another place in Laos to. I don't know the answer but I want to explore it and make a decision based on thorough research.

I aim to consider:
Visas & Residency
Health care & Insurance
Low Cost Housing
Off the Grid Living
Education (For my child's education and potentially for us older ones)
Planning for the future
Security
Backup plans and Support Networks
Giving back to the community

And who knows, maybe some more as they come to mind. As I'm in Australia, I'll have more time to consider these things now that I'm here. I'll probably throw in some anecdotes from the life I did live so briefly over there.  What I think everyone can be passionate about is choosing the life they want, so look at everything under the sun and lets see: What life should you choose?