THE AVERAGE YUPPIE rushing in to a café for another cold drink, his third for that afternoon. A middle-aged woman covering her mouth as she hails a cab, trying to smother a cough she’s been suffering from for weeks now. A septuagenarian brisk-walking for an hour at the park each afternoon.
These are ordinary scenes easily overlooked because of their common occurrence. Then again, it takes an expert eye to detect the signs. Dryness of the mouth, for example, which prompts one to frequently take in fluids, can be a symptom of diabetes. Chronic cough, often disregarded as a minor discomfort, can similarly be symptomatic of a more serious health disorder. Finally, even the seemingly healthy person who exercises regularly and eats a sensible diet can still find value in regular visits to the doctor.
"This is why regular checkups with the doctor can never be overrated," emphasizes Dr. Ma. Socorro Garcia, head Manila Doctors Hospital’s Industrial Medical Services Department (IMSD).
She adds, "Many doctors have proven the merits of regular and thorough medical checkups in detecting early signs of diseases and even identifying predispositions to health disorders resulting from certain lifestyle and health history factors."
DO NOT IGNORE THE SYMPTOMS!
The fast-paced life of the average urban dweller also presents several risk factors of health disorders. Work-related stress leading to high blood pressure, smoking and drinking habits, sedentary work that deprives one of exercise are only a few of the often ignored elements of one’s daily life that may lead to health problems.
Furthermore, the prevailing economic conditions also put in sharp context the importance of vigilance when it comes to health. It is far more inexpensive to take preventative measures and health treatments rather than curative ones.
"In view of all these, IMSD is offering its line of checkup packages to suit the varying needs of the average health consumer. Called the Executive Checkup, these packages comprise a number of laboratory tests and medical consultations for a comprehensive diagnostic. There are several Executive Checkup plans to choose from, both for in-patient and for out-patient treatment."
Premier Package for a three-day confinement during which laboratory tests, X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, proctosigmoidoscopy and a series of medical consultations will be conducted. Plans A to C which include a two-day and one-day or overnight confinement, respectively. These packages differ only in the number of inclusive examinations, hence, the period of time the patient needs to be confined. In-patient packages range in price from P8,000 to P19,000.
For those on the move and cannot spare too much time for the checkup, there are also the out-patient Executive Checkup plans. Health consumers can choose from the Cardiac work-up package, the Endocrine work-up, Pulmonary work-up, GI (gastrointestinal) work-up and Woman Care Program. Prices of these range from P7,000 to P12,000.
In addition to these pre-set packages, Dr. Garcia and her team of seasoned professionals can also "re-package" or create new packages to tailor-fit certain health needs should a patient request it. Pricing for repackaged plans may vary and may not be consistent with the discounted rates in the pre-set plans.
GOING OVER STEP BY STEP
Appointments can be set ahead of time or "walk-in" can also come in without one. Admission time is between 4pm and 6pm from Sunday to Friday.
Checkup begins with an interview. This is done to determine the health risk factors that the patient is exposed to on a regular and/or inherent basis, such as family health history. These will all be factored-in in the evaluation of results from subsequent exams. This is also the patient’s chance to ask for more information about the package and its inclusive exams or to request for the exclusion of any exam that the health professional attending may not find necessary.
A series of laboratory exams follow the interview. In in-patient packages, this is then followed by a number of basic medical consultations including Ophthalmology, ENT and Dental, to name a few.
The results of these exams and consultations will be compiled in a booklet and released to the patient within a week (three to seven business days) after he/she is discharged.
"IMSD’s Executive Checkup program also ties in with certain health insurance and HMOs like ValueCare, IntelliCare. We advise patients to first call and check with their insurers before coming down for a checkup," Dr. Garcia notes.
SUCCESS STORIES
"The Executive Checkup program has been an IMSD service offering since the 1950s," says Dr. Garcia. "Since then, we have seen considerable growth in customers and in partnerships with business organizations for pre-employment and pre-deployment health exams."
She adds, "Tie-ins with overseas staffing agencies have been particularly successful as IMSD services more and more Overseas Filipino Workers, both prior and after their deployment abroad. Currently, IMSD has a Palau-based coordinator to better organize health referrals and checkups for residents in Palau. The advantage of such partnerships to the common health consumer is the thoroughness of IMSD’s health exams and the reliability of the test results they issue to employers and staffing agencies."
At the end of the day, it is really the patient who reaps the benefits. Dr. Garcia recalls a particularly special success story of her team involving a prominent patient who complained of frequent coughs. After undergoing an Executive Checkup, a serious illness was detected of which the patient was completely unaware. The government official promptly went abroad for specialized treatment of his illness and eventually got better.
"Only goes to show that it is always better to seek professional help," ends Dr. Garcia.
(For inquiries, visit the IMSD of the Manila Doctors Hospital located at 667 United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila. You may also email your concern at info@maniladoctors.com.ph.)
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