Ecuador Forum

reemiles
Joined 2009
Posts: 110

14 years ago

In praise of Ecuadoran health care

14 years ago

This is only one person's experience but worth sharing. I had gone to our family doctor (Pablo Parra) at Hospital Monte Sinai in Cuenca on another matter and on impulse asked for a PSA blood test. The results came back with a high indicator that there might be a presence of cancer in the prostate gland. That same day he arranged a consult with Dr Alberto Amaya, a surgeon and urologist. Dr Amaya did a physical exam and felt that a CT scan was in order. The CT indicated a cancerous mass in the prostate. This led to a biopsy of the prostate which detected and confirmed the cancerous mass. Dr. Amaya recommended surgery and felt that a radical prostatectomy (removal of the entire gland) was in order. He said that he felt my chances were very good that the cancer had been detected early and that it had not metastisized or spread anywhere else.

This process, from the original PSA test, the physical exam, CT scan etc. took only 4 days!

We had to wait 3 weeks for the swelling in the gland caused by the biopsy to subside. I had the surgery on Jan 6th of this year. A biopsy of the removed gland indicated that the cancer was contained within the prostate and I was proclaimed "cured". Due diligence requires monitoring via PSA tests every 3 months along with a CT scan at 6 months in the first year. Then PSA's every 4 months for the 2nd year and reduced to every 6 months until 5 years have passed.

Throughout this experience I was assured that international protocols are rigidly adhered to. I had the services of an anaesthesiologist, oncologist, urologist and surgeon as well as an after care specialist. I was in the hospital for 3 days in a private room with a large screen TV and movie channels. It was squeeky clean and the nursing staff was prompt and attentive.

I can not speak highly enough in praise of the quality and professionalism of the health care I have received. The total cost was slightly over $5,000. Like many expats, we are self insured. We had the option to return to Canada for the treatment (free under Canadian medicare) but would have had to spend 3 months requalifying for medicare and probably another 2-3 months for the treatment itself. With the cost of the airfare the total might easily have been at least double what we paid here.

We were elated with both the outcome and the team at Monte Sinai.

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