Terminal illness: AoT's medical burden

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Terminal illness: AoT's medical burden

Published: 11/03/2011 at 09:56 AM
Newspaper section: Business

Suvarnabhumi airport's problems go beyond complaints about long immigration lines, dirty toilets and staff not smiling enough to include others of a more pressing financial nature.

Suvarnabhumi airport’s clinic is staffed by three doctors and nine nurses.

The airport is facing a rising number of foreign travellers who fall seriously ill on their journeys, and even a few who have chosen the passenger terminal to commit suicide.

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About the author

: Writer: Boonsong Kositchotethana; Position: Deputy Editor Business

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Seaserpent
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Discussion 20 : 16/03/2011 at 11:41 AM20
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It's plain stupidity to travel without a travel insurance, people who cannot show a valid insurance should not be permitted check-in at their port of departure.
ThaimanX10
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Discussion 19 : 13/03/2011 at 08:08 AM19
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How do they do it??Within the past 3 weeks, a good friend en route from London to Bangkok had a sudden and frightening increase in his heart beat just before landing at Dubai for a 2.5 hour stop over.
He neither smokes nor drinks and is not a lot over 50, and was thus very worried. He went to the clearly signed Medical Centre where nurses immediately checked him and called a doctor.
Within minutes the doctor arrived and confirmed the condition, told my friend he must not fly and called someone to the effect that "Mr A will not be taking his place, Dubai to Bangkok". He added that if, after 30 minutes, the rate did not slow, he would arrange for an ambulance to take Mr A to hospital.
During that time the heart beat did return to normal, the doctor reinstated the man on the onward flight with lots of good advice about seeing a heart specialist at his destination.
When my friend asked for the bill he was astonished. The answer was "All medical facilities in Dubai Airport are paid for by Emirates Airline and the Government. This applies to all passengers, no matter what airline they fly, and to all airport staff."
Imagine that facility at London Heathrow or Swampipoom, Bkk? I don't think so. Hat's off to Emirates and Dubai!
loong
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Discussion 18 : 11/03/2011 at 04:15 PM18
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No health insurance no entry!
englishbob
Post : 990
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Discussion 17 : 11/03/2011 at 02:57 PM17
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AOT is completely correct - people SHOULD pay their bills. If you travel without insurance and you need treatment, You are at fault.

The NHS has a MUCH huger problem with people travelling to the UK simply for treatment and then skipping out on their bills. Maybe a reciprocal arrangement could be met between governments. Citizens who don't pay, have their wages garnered until the bill is covered. Utopian stuff, I know, but it would be nice to see people being held responsible.
Victor
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Discussion 16 : 11/03/2011 at 01:58 PM16
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20mb for 59 patients..... that's a lot of bahts for sure. Wonder why?
But a 10b can of coke is sold for 3x that amount at the airport.
bop
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Discussion 15 : 11/03/2011 at 01:43 PM15
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An excellent suggestion Disc #10.
bkkfarang1
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Discussion 14 : 11/03/2011 at 01:31 PM14
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I am not sure who is responsible for the bills of travelers, my wife was recently taken ill on a flight whose destination was Bangkok. In Doha she was taken off the plane by ambulance and taken to a womens hospital for treatment, my daughter and I were put in a hotel. My wife and daughter had no visa to enter Qatar but this was quickly sorted ( even for Thai nationals ). We stayed two nights and three days until we were able to continue. On leaving I asked to pay the bill, I was told Qatar Airways pay it out of their own pockets/insurance. I was amazed but pleased, and I think that in my case the Airline should take the praise. Truly a 5 star airline and response. Now as to the problems in Bangkok, maybe the airline should shoulder something if they have checked in or just arrived?
tansri
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Discussion 13 : 11/03/2011 at 01:08 PM13
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On top of emergency care Suvarnabhumi Airport should buy insurance coverage for health care services provided to passengers. Premium will not be high consider good record of 60 cases over 40 million passengers. May be a few Baht per head. Suggestion by VP Health is not sensible. How did the airport qualify him for the job?
troebal
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Discussion 12 : 11/03/2011 at 12:35 PM12
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A little simple math says that the average cost to the 59 non-paying visitors was about Baht 340,000. I had shoulder surgery at one of the more expensive hospitals in Thailand last year for less than that. I am getting cataract surgery next week for on Baht 55,000. Must have had some heart surgery in there, several times, to come up to that kind of average. Someone is having it stuck to them.
critical
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Discussion 11 : 11/03/2011 at 11:24 AM11
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So many years travelers have been complaining about the AoT treatment and scams "to no avail". Now Aot wants the whole world to come to its rescue? It's to "no avail" for sure...what goes around comes around.

Plus I believe you would be better off "being partners" with cheaper hospitals (not 5 star hospitals) such as Samitivej. Aren't there government hospitals that can treat these "foreigners" with the same treatments in less costs? Which would eventually cut your bills down to more than half and you would have less to nag about!

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Terminal illness: AoT's medical burden | Bangkok Post: business