Hernia operation successful at Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital

January 26, 2008

I just got out of the hospital yesterday from a hernia operation. It was a small umbilical hernia, just above my navel. I decided to have the procedure done at The Tzu Chi General Hospital, near Tan Tzu. I chose the hospital because it is near my home and very new, thus clean. I am very glad that I did. The service was exceptional and my internist’s bedside manner (and English) was the best I’ve encountered. I stayed in a shared room with 3 other patients. They snored and made all kinds of noise at night, but nothing the high quality morphine couldn’t take care of. Though sectioned off from the other beds by curtains–as is standard–, the amount of space was bigger than what you get in a similar room in other hospitals. Outside my window were the hills to contemplate, not another wall or city clutter. There was also a couch, which was ample and comfortable enough for my wife and daughter to take a nap on. I always felt well taken care of and I noticed the other patients were equally well treated, so being a laowai had nothing to do with it. A major contributing factor in the overall positive experience at this hospital is the sheer number of volunteers who work there. They are extremely polite and very helpful. You would find it hard not to be within a loud whisper’s distance from a volunteer. While sitting waiting for my turn to pay my bill in the main lobby, I was served tea. Nice.

Tags: BuddhistTzu Chi General Hospital, personal, Taiwan