Russ' heart has been healthy since we left the US. He has had some other unrelated pain though and we have been able to address that here. It's been a great introduction to the healthcare system. There are basically two levels of care like most elsewhere in the world - government and then private hospitals. As residents, we have access to the government hospitals, same as Kuwaiti citizens and we hear that the level of technology is high. We also have private insurance, a UK program with regional headquarters in Dubai. It provides coverage anywhere in the world if we travel, which of course we could have really used six months ago.
We have seen four doctors here at three different hospitals for this condition, with each doctor and facility improving as we went along. The doctor whom Russ is seeing now has trained in the States and is the best in his field in Kuwait.
The private hospitals seem to be part mall and part high-rise hotel. One hospital had high-end boutiques, marble floors, chandeliers, a swanky cafe, and spa. Russ had a minor day surgery today but they insisted he spend the night, and there is a bed for me as well. The one-patient room has a large flat-screen television, wifi, fridge, a large fruit gift basket, full bathroom and two couches. This is one of the basic rooms; the suite down the hall is more five-star.
Some other observations:
There are bags of baby carrots at every nurses' station for anyone to take; they make a nice snack.
Russ has only ever been known as Mr. Rosel at any facility; his surname is not used. In fact on his civil ID, his name in Arabic reads Rosel Bredford even though they got that information from his American passport. I am Mrs. Rosel. Similarly, we call our doctor Dr. Abdullah instead of by his last name and the nursing staff knows who we mean.
The pre-op procedure last week was the most thorough I have ever experienced. Russ met with an anesthesiologist, cardiologist, and pharmacist; he had bloodwork, an ecg, and a chest xray done as well. It took four hours to go through everything but we had a nurse who stayed by our sides as she took us all over the hospital.
There is only valet parking, and bellboy service up to our seventh-floor room. Russ checked in to his room immediately upon arrival this morning.
The doctor has called us twice at home before the procedure to answer questions; we were also able to reach him on his cell phone. So far the followup has been excellent.
Needless to say, I have been impressed. Who knew that Kuwait was a medical tourism destination?
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