Category: Thailand

One of the valid concerns people have when contemplating long term travel is what will they do about medical issues. We are not getting any younger although some of us may be healthier now than when we were young and much more foolish about our bodies. Health considerations, even if you are in the best of health will pop up during your travels.

Marci and I have spent a year in South-East Asia. This is a tropicalclimate filled with tropical diseases , like those in the old movies. And although Marci has not really gotten sick, I have suffered through unknown rashes and infections. The good news is I am fine. The great news is it cost me less than fifteen dollars to handle the most expensive health scare. That is for less than $15 I was completely cured of a skin infection I thought would send me home to the United States and my Mama’s loving house since we no longer have a house of our own.

The thing is health care just does not cost that much in other countries. I am not talking about democratic socialist nations of Europe although there too healthcare is much more affordable than the United States. I am talking for profit businesses that offer western trained doctors and if you prefer it western solutions and medicines. I have no preference. When I am sick, I just want to be well. The western solution to my skin problem would have cost closer to $100 dollars but that is still less than my deductible would have been at Kaiser and that is with Obama Care or the Affordable Care Act.

But the real stars of affordable healthcare are pharmacists. These women and men will look you over and prescribe the answer in a matter of minutes. I was on my way to have lunch when I thought I would show a pharmacist my itchy arm. He gave me a topical medicine to try for two dollars. Later that evening I had completely stopped scratching. Two days later my skin looked better than ever. It worked. And still have some medicine left over.

When I was in Spain I went to a pharmacist because someone told me to. I had terrible canker sores and could barely open my mouth not that I needed to, I didn’t then and still don’t speak Spanish, to my great regret. The pharmacist who didn’t speak English took one look inside my barely opened mouth figured out what I needed. He handed me a bottle while miming for me to rinse my mouth and gargle with it 6 times a day. I nodded and paid him. The next day I could talk and more importantly, smile without pain. A few days later I was back to my old chatting laughing self.

Pharmacist visits are faster and much less expensive when compared to going to the doctor or clinic. No waiting rooms means no waiting. Just explain your problem and let her figure out the cure.  Eventhough Marci and I live in the shadow of an award winning hospital with an outpatient clinic, I always try the pharmacist first. So far so good.

There are few places where you will be unable to secure routine healthcare as you move through your adventure traveling across our beautiful planet. The price will vary mostly in line with the cost of living overall. The US notwithstanding.  Keep a credit card handy. Consider travel insurance. Have a quick checkup and discussion with your home doctor. Then get on a plane. The world awaits, warts, canker sores, upset tummies and all. Enjoy.

Have you ever had to see a doctor on an international trip.  Share your story with us in the comments. Thank you.