English speaking doctors/clinics offbase?

[Tuonetar]

I'm a civilian dependent and don't really have access to the onbase medical system here in Okinawa (i.e. I'm not assigned a primary care doctor through the military system, etc). I have a sudden minor health issue and I would like to see a doctor/clinic offbase, but I don't really know where to start. If someone could recommend me someplace to go, I would appreciate it. I don't really speak Japanese but I am hoping some doctors would be able to speak English. Thanks for your help.

[socalheart]

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST (946-2833) hospital has English speaking staff and good facilities. My family has gone there for more than 30 years.

[uchinahafu]

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST (946-2833) hospital has English speaking staff and good facilities. My family has gone there for more than 30 years.

I agree with Socal. They are awesome! I had my son there instead of using the naval hospital.

[Jazz]

Seventh Day here, what!

Lester is easier and probably cheaper but I don't trust most of the ignorant assholes there. No offense, and if you take offense maybe you're one of them (refer to the word "most").

[Muku]

I'm a civilian dependent and don't really have access to the onbase medical system here in Okinawa (i.e. I'm not assigned a primary care doctor through the military system, etc). I have a sudden minor health issue and I would like to see a doctor/clinic offbase, but I don't really know where to start. If someone could recommend me someplace to go, I would appreciate it. I don't really speak Japanese but I am hoping some doctors would be able to speak English. Thanks for your help.
While I agree with the suggestions about Adventist what they offer in the way of medical services however is limited, very limited in fact to ob/gyn, internal medicine and dental services.

One of my three children was born there as well and I have nothing bad to say about any of the doctors or care given there. They were very professional.

However if you have a specific problem not related to internal med then I would NOT suggest going to Adventist. I would consider going to Chu-bu hospital in Uruma, Gushikawa. Many Doctors now a days have fairly decent English speaking skills, when I was laid up at Heart Life Hospital a number of years ago, and I had my back fused along with bone implants and screws inserted into my back the surgeon in charge got his advanced ortho. training at Havard Medical School and did resident work in Boston as well.

My point is that there are many Doctors here in many different hospitals other than Chubu or Adventist that have English speaking skills.

What specifically ails you if you don't mind sharing that I or someone else here could point you in a more specific direction for assistance.

If you do not feel comfortable discussing it on the open board feel free to PM me.

[Muku]

Seventh Day here, what!

Lester is easier and probably cheaper but I don't trust most of the ignorant assholes there. No offense, and if you take offense maybe you're one of them (refer to the word "most").

Do civilians have to pay up front at Lester?

Ryu there are 7th day churches all over this island btw and they have a couple of dental clinics along with the hospital as well.

[socalheart]

I thought of recommending Chubu also, but know that anything that AMC (Adventist Medical Center) can't handle, they'll refer out. I also know that Ryukyu University hospital is as good a place as Chubu and AMC for routine medical problems. If you have something terminal, I recommend going back to the states...

[Muku]

I thought of recommending Chubu also, but know that anything that AMC (Adventist Medical Center) can't handle, they'll refer out. I also know that Ryukyu University hospital is as good a place as Chubu and AMC for routine medical problems. If you have something terminal, I recommend going back to the states...

However to get into Ryukyu University you will need to be referred there from another hospital.

Heaven forbid anyone that drops over with a heart attack at Ryudai....they more than likely will call an ambulance and have you taken somewhere else.

He did say minor though.......:scratchchin:

[Jazz]

Do civilians have to pay up front at Lester?

.

No, they get a bill in the mail later for whatever there insurance doesn't cover.

[DoctorP]

Seventh Day here, what!

Lester is easier and probably cheaper but I don't trust most of the ignorant assholes there. No offense, and if you take offense maybe you're one of them (refer to the word "most").

I definitely wouldn't say cheaper...have you seen the prices charged there?:thumbdown:

[Sex Wax]

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST (946-2833) hospital has English speaking staff and good facilities. My family has gone there for more than 30 years.

Yeah, the AMC (Adventist Medical Center) is pretty good. I've been there for broken bones, sea urchin spine removal, reef rash, twisted ankles and even an annoying case of the crabs. It's pretty cheap, and English friendly. They used to even have an emergency dental clinic.

[TheLastDon]

I definitely wouldn't say cheaper...have you seen the prices charged there?:thumbdown:

For routine stuff I have noticed that it's cheaper to go to a off base hospital without insurance than going to Lester with insurance. :argh14:

[Tuonetar]

Thanks for all your replies. For the record, I'm female. I couldn't seem to PM you, Muku, it says you aren't set up for that.

My problem is probably dermatological--I guess worst case scenario is it could be cancer but I am hoping that is really unlikely.

[Muku]

Thanks for all your replies. For the record, I'm female. I couldn't seem to PM you, Muku, it says you aren't set up for that.

My problem is probably dermatological--I guess worst case scenario is it could be cancer but I am hoping that is really unlikely.

I sent you a PM...funny thing though is that I receive PM's from other members here no problem.

Check your in box.:D

I dont accept email though.

[TheLastDon]

Just go to any hospital and act like a total dumb gaijin, someone is bound to help you.:)

[DougP]

Just go to any hospital and act like a total dumb gaijin, someone is bound to help you.:)

And then you'll wait about an hour or two before seeing the nurse... then another hour before seeing a doctor... :D

[TheLastDon]

And then you'll wait about an hour or two before seeing the nurse... then another hour before seeing a doctor... :D

Shit dude, I wasted 6 hours at Chubu hospital just to have the doctor tell me it was a cold. :argh14:

[Muku]

Shit dude, I wasted 6 hours at Chubu hospital just to have the doctor tell me it was a cold. :argh14:

Next time let me know, Chubu Emergency or any of the big emergency hospitals will make you wait all day because you are not an emergency.

Or your other option would be to an ambulance and have them take you to the hospital, they will check you out right quick.

[TheLastDon]

Next time let me know, Chubu Emergency or any of the big emergency hospitals will make you wait all day because you are not an emergency.

Or your other option would be to an ambulance and have them take you to the hospital, they will check you out right quick.

Ambulance? that's a 80,000 yen charge right there. :dead:

[DoctorP]

Shit dude, I wasted 6 hours at Chubu hospital just to have the doctor tell me it was a cold. :argh14:

I would have told you after 10 minutes and charged you half as much! :thumbdown:

[Muku]

Ambulance? that's a 80,000 yen charge right there. :dead:
No insurance?

[TheLastDon]

I would have told you after 10 minutes and charged you half as much! :thumbdown:

I was really sick one time and thought it was something serious, boy was I wrong. Lesson learned.


No insurance?

I have insurance with an American company but I have to pay the entire bill, then translate everything and send it to my company for reimbursement.

But yes an ambulance ride was around 80,000 yen about 9 years ago or so. It wasn't for me, if you're wondering.

[Muku]

I have insurance with an American company but I have to pay the entire bill, then translate everything and send it to my company for reimbursement.

But yes an ambulance ride was around 80,000 yen about 9 years ago or so. It wasn't for me, if you're wondering.

Just curious but why dont you get insurance from the town office? It may be cheaper too.

Oh and the ambulance?

Did you happen to use a private service when you called it, or did you call 119?

[TheLastDon]

Just curious but why dont you get insurance from the town office? It may be cheaper too.

Oh and the ambulance?

Did you happen to use a private service when you called it, or did you call 119?

Town office, last I checked SOFA people couldn't get local insurance, if somebody knows any different, please let me know.

Called 119.

[DougP]

Town office, last I checked SOFA people couldn't get local insurance, if somebody knows any different, please let me know.

Called 119.

Just for kicks, the wife and I tried to see if it were possible... apparently not if you have SOFA. I'm in the same boat as you with the insurance and all. I don't mind paying mainly because I hardly ever step foot in a hospital and put money aside for emergencies. What kills me is the waiting and over crowded hospitals. If I'm going to pay full price, I want better service. :) I also wish they had a better system, one that expedites more serious cases.

The only reason why I went recently was because of that severe asthma attack I had. My wife was about to call an ambulance and I gathered all the strength I had to knock the phone out of her hand. I'm not about to pay that much money, in fact I heard recently those things can run you over Ju-man. :ohmy: Screw that.

[commando]

While I agree with the suggestions about Adventist what they offer in the way of medical services however is limited, very limited in fact to ob/gyn, internal medicine and dental services.

One of my three children was born there as well and I have nothing bad to say about any of the doctors or care given there. They were very professional.

However if you have a specific problem not related to internal med then I would NOT suggest going to Adventist. I would consider going to Chu-bu hospital in Uruma, Gushikawa. Many Doctors now a days have fairly decent English speaking skills, when I was laid up at Heart Life Hospital a number of years ago, and I had my back fused along with bone implants and screws inserted into my back the surgeon in charge got his advanced ortho. training at Havard Medical School and did resident work in Boston as well.

My point is that there are many Doctors here in many different hospitals other than Chubu or Adventist that have English speaking skills.


AMC has a pediatrics guy and he was the head guy there at least up to last year. Matumoto sensei. They also got a dermatology department and rehabilitation too. http://www.amc.gr.jp/

If you wanto see English doctors you can check a pamphelt published by the Okinawa International Exchange & Human Resources Development Foundation http://www.oihf.or.jp/

[DoctorP]

I was really sick one time and thought it was something serious, boy was I wrong. Lesson learned.


You big whuss! :thumbdown::D