An ophthalmologist on Sunday

Four weeks ago, I woke up unable to open my left eye. My eyelid and surrounding area were swollen enough to push the eyelid closed.

It was Sunday morning, so I assumed I’d have to go to the ER.

But no: my partner told me about an eye clinic 10 minutes away by scooter.

Arriving at 11am without an appointment, I waited only an hour to see an ophthalmologist.

He diagnosed a staph infection and prescribed oral antibiotics, antibiotic eye ointment, and anti-inflammatory eye drops—which I collected from a pharmacy counter on the other side of the waiting room.

The whole experience cost NT$200 (NZ$10).

In New Zealand, it’s normal to wait weeks to see a GP and months for an initial ophthalmology consultation.

A Google search reveals 20 years’ of news reports about people going blind on the ophthalmology wait list.

Meanwhile, here in Taiwan, I only waited an hour.

Ten days later, I was even more impressed: the infection flared up, so I returned to the clinic. This time I waited only 10 minutes.

The ophthalmologist said minor surgery was required. And so, less than half-an-hour after arriving (sans appointment), I underwent eyelid surgery.

The consultation, surgery, and medicines cost another NT$200 (NZ$10).

Two-and-a-half weeks later, my eye is fine.

I realize Taiwan’s health system isn’t perfect. But in relative terms, it’s spectacular.

Don’t forget the dentists

I’ve had a dental check-up three times in Taiwan. (I made appointments, but walk-ins are welcome, too.)

My last visit involved a 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography scan, check-up, and dental cleaning—all for NT$100 (NZ$5), along with a free tube of toothpaste.

National Health Insurance entitles us to this preventive care twice a year. But other dental services are similarly priced: a friend had a root canal for NT$150 (NZ$7.50).

Ten years ago, I had an emergency root canal in New Zealand. It almost broke me, costing around NZ$5,000 (NT$100,000).

Orthopaedic surgery, anyone?

One of the first people I met in Taiwan was an orthopaedic surgeon. This was back before I qualified for National Health Insurance, so I was curious to ask about the Taiwanese health system.

The surgeon said he felt bad because sometimes his patients wait 12 days for a hip replacement.

My neighbor in New Zealand waited 18 months.