Getting medical care outside of Cambodia

Although many expats are satisfied with the medical care they can obtain in Cambodia, there are also many who are not. Expectant mothers frequently choose to deliver outside of Cambodia, and those who have serious medical problems also often choose to go elsewhere for care. Even if you just need certain simple office procedures or medical tests, these services may not be available in Cambodia, or if they are the prices can be quite high. So often it makes sense to seek care outside of the country, usually in Bangkok or Singapore.

Bangkok

Bangkok luxury hospital Bumrungrad offers many package deals for those coming from overseas, starting with a comprehensive check-up ranging in price from $79 to $265, maternity packages, and plastic surgery, too. If you need to stay overnight for outpatient care, they have a posh hotel on site. Those who are admitted as inpatients also get plush accommodations; the rooms at Bumrungrad are ridiculously nice, featuring WiFi, on-demand movies, and takeout Thai food. It’s one of the most expensive hospitals in Bangkok, but still low cost compared to back home.

Bangkok’s Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is another popular choice with expats. It offers excellent care and all of the staff speak English. Package deals are on offer here as well. A basic check-up package costs $210 and is a bit richer than Bumrungrad’s, with a menu that includes chest X-ray, EKG, abdominal ultrasound, and a battery of blood tests. Samitivej is also a very fancy hospital, but perhaps not aimed so squarely at overseas expats as Bumrungrad is. However, by many accounts they offer superior care.

For eye complaints and surgery, many expats go to Rutnin Eye Hospital.

Bumrungrad International Hospital
33 Sukhumvit 3, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
T: +66 2 667 1000
http://www.bumrungrad.com

Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
133 Sukhumvit 49, Klongtan Nua, Vadhana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
T:+66 2 711 8000
http://www.samitivejhospitals.com

Rutnin Eye Hospital
80/1 Sukhumvit 21 (Soi Asoke), Bangkok 10110, Thailand
T: +66 2 639 3399
http://www.rutnin.com

Singapore

Singapore has the most highly ranked health care in Asia (and is ranked sixth in the world), so it’s no wonder that expats often choose to go there for medical treatment. While the care is probably better than in Thailand, it’s also more expensive. Most popular is Raffles Hospital, which caters specifically to international visitors coming to Singapore for medical tourism. Raffles offers a full range of services for expats, including airport transfers, travel planning, and help with getting a GST refund for your care. General check-ups start at $120 and include blood, urine, and stool testing, while luxury check-up packages go as high as $7,000.

Singapore General Hospital is the main public hospital in town. For foreigners the prices are comparable to those at Raffles, but if you need to stay overnight, the room rates are significantly less.

Raffles Hospital
585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770
T: +65 6311 2233
http://rafflesmedicalgroup.com.sg

Singapore General Hospital
Outram Road, Singapore 169608
T: +65 6222 3322
http://www.sgh.com.sg

This is an excerpt from Move to Cambodia: A guide to living and working in the Kingdom of Wonder. To learn more about 100+ topics that pertain to Cambodia expats, please consider buying the book.