Health Check

Most of my vacations have been a smooth ride until Philippines 2009. I experienced my first health freak out. I woke up one morning and I couldn't open my eyes. I looked in the mirror and I screamed. My eyes were so puffy and swollen I could barely open them. I also had rashes all over my body.

I purchased travel insurance back in Toronto so I was confident I could go to see a doctor and not worry about paying out of pocket. I called the insurance company to inform them of my situation and they gave me the green light to see any doctor I wanted.

My Aunt took me to a clinic and I waited patiently to see a doctor. After half an hour, I finally saw the doctor and she told me it was allergies. I got a prescription for reactin and everything was done. I totally blame the crab I ate the night before!!!!

I had to pay for everything including my medicine. I was not used to that. In Toronto, it's free to visit a doctor. We have a health card that the government covers for free. I also have a drug plan at work so I only pay 20% of the cost for prescription medicine. In the Philippines, everything must be paid for. The government doesn't subsidize any cost so if you don't earn a lot of money, it's more than likely that you don't get a check up every year or if you get sick you might not afford to see a doctor. It was a very sad realization.

It really opened my eyes on how different things are between the two countries I call home. I will never ever take for granted the privileges that I have here in Canada.