Sunday 21 August 2022

Health

 I got a gyno appointment at the rural hospital at Korinth, 1 1/2 hours away, half way between the island and Athens. K had an op there a few years ago and was impressed by the doctors. 

I was impressed by the gynocologist, a woman thank goodness, but with a male assistant . Ho hum 

She actually sat down and explained what she'd found, in simple detail, and gave us a picture of what they can do and what they can't and why.

She says, the rural hospital and also most of the big hospitals in the cities, only do emergency ops  during the summer and everything is behind schedule anyway because of covid.  

I'm not a life and death situation so if I come back in October and see the head of the Gynaecologic department I can probably get a date for surgery, sometime in the future .

Now we just have to find out if we need to 'oil' the Head of Gynocology and how much. I'm sure he will expect an 'envelope' under the table.  

We learned the other day, while talking with a group of friends who had 'been there and done it' that if we had oiled the doctor at Nafplio I would have had my cataract operation by now. If we don't go back and give him 250 euros then forget it. He'll simply 'put us on the list'.   

Quite frankly, though I hate this system, I'd rather hand over 200 or so euros than have to traipse into Athens or Piraeus . 

First the gyno problem then I'll tackle the cataracts .

The going rate for most doctors seems to be 250, plus if you need an anaesthetic  another 100 to the anaesthesiologist.  Doable.

We went on one of the hottest days of summer but left very early in the morning to avoid most of the heat. The hospital was not on duty for emergency cases so it was a lot quieter than usual and cool. We had to have a rapid test before entering, 5 euros at the pharmacy opposite, and of course wear masks.


There were half a dozen other women/girls waiting with me. All pregnant Roma (gypsies to put it bluntly). They usually have most of the family with them but thankfully rapid tests must have kept them out. 

All these rural hospitals have a large Roma clientele. A lot of the menfolk with big cars and dripping in gold. The women still wear the old style of dress, long skirts and long hair tied up in a scarf. 

We came home without stopping at our usual souvlaki place. To hot to eat or think about leaving the air-conditioned car.

We stopped at a big supermarket half an hour from home so I could do some essential shopping and K could get an iced espresso.  The  number of cars parked at this place was amazing. The supermarket was full and at the coffee shop next door the woman who runs it was literally running.  These few busy August weeks help them to get through the winter 

Then it was a dash to get the car ferry. We got there with 2 minutes to spare so no waiting in the heat on the boiling deck. No bad tempers and impatient tooting of horns 

Home to a cold shower and an afternoon nap .

This morning we were down town before 7 am for a blood test.  All well there.

It was wonderful down there at that early hour. There was a crisp coolness, quiet and peace. I haven't been to the centre of town for two months. The noise and crush of people, plus the heat and lack of parking is unbearable.


Empty cafeterias


An empty waterfront.
Only one water taxi


So early the streets lights are still on, the rubbish waiting to be collected










25 comments:

  1. Interesting and flourishing system of getting medical appts! Sounds lie it is necessary even if you do not agree with it. Interesting to hear the Roma men are dripping with gold, seems the males have themselves on show regardless of species. Nice to be down in your town in the peace and quiet.

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    1. The male Roma seem to favour gold bracelets and chains around their necks. The women not so much. Amazing how many of them BMWs as well. Mind you there are also a lot with old farm trucks.

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  2. Interesting health care system in your smaller hospitals there. A few years ago ( pre- Covid stuff) my mother-in-law had to wait almost a year for her cataract surgery but she sailed through it! - Jenn

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    1. I've been waiting a year now. I think I'll change doctors though the one who wants oiling was young and had even been to NZ. Pity

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  3. I can't imagine the oiling of palms for medical appointments here but one never knows. Hope you get the gynie and cataracts sorted.

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    1. Honestly we thought, because of stricter laws, the practice had more or less finished. K has had a couple of ops with no trouble. Depends on the doctor maybe.

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  4. Sorry to hear you need surgery. If the oiling of palms is what works then that is all that matters.

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    1. The oiling doesn't seem to cost too much so we may just have to follow the crowd

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  5. Life is so different in Greece compared to NZ. I refuse to have a male inspecting my bits and pieces, thankfully for each smear test I've had a nurse there, it's a procedure that's hardly dignified to begin with and it's nice to have a woman doing what needs to be done so it's a bit less embarrassing.

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    1. A woman makes so much difference and this one was so understanding and gentle. Why do men want to be gynocologists for darn sake

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  6. I visited a complete Roma town in Moldova. The houses were like castles, the Roma sat around staring at us staring at them and BMW's were everywhere, one even had a UK number plate from my area which unnerved me totally. I wished I had never gone to that particular town in Northern Moldova. Our guide said we were safe but I didn't feel particularly safe. I didn't take any photos.

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    1. Some of the houses they live in here are fine but most of them seem to live in compounds of very flimsy housing.
      You wouldn't be safe if you visited them in these places. You instinctively clutch your bag a bit tighter if you meet them, even in the hospital. The gynocologist was marvellous with the girls. They were quarrelling amongst themselves about whose turn it was and she sorted them out very gently.

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  7. Here I have been waiting for half a year for an appointment with a dermatologist. Every place and its problems.

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    1. Oh boy. Every place does have its problems. Come here for a holiday. We have a dermotologist who comes every weekend. 30 euros a visit. Private but he's good and one of the few doctors who actually gives a receipt.

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  8. I hope you get your operation real soon and all your worry quickly disappears Linda.

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  9. I hope you get your op sooner rather than later. And without having to cross the palm. That would be so aggravating as an Aussie. But I guess for you guys it’s just part of life.

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    1. It used to be a part of life. Still is some places unfortunately. At least we are more aware of it now

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  10. As far as I am aware, 'oiling' doesn't take place here - but wait times can still be horrendous.
    Hope you manage to get things sorted out satisfactorily very soon.

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    1. I'm content to wait till October. Things may have changed by then. Covid hasnt helped the hospitals but the 'oiling of palms' has been going on for decades. Honestly, Doctors are paid for what they do and most have private practices.

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  11. I suppose "oiling" the doctors is a little like having private heath insurance :) I can't imagine doing that here but when in Rome (or Greece)... :)

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    1. That whole corrupt system was supposed to have been stopped by recent governments. I guess the doctors have just got used to nice little untaxable bonuses. As you say, when in Rome.....we have no choice

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  12. Hello there - just catching up. Hope everything alright on the night and your pockets are deep.

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    1. All ok! Pockets aren't deep but they at least aren't asking a small fortune.

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  13. I have never heard of this "oiling" practice, but it does make a weird kind of sense in countries with social healthcare. I think most naive Americans would be shocked, but those who live elsewhere are familiar.
    I hope all is well, and you get your surgeries in a reasonable time frame.

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