State healthcare versus Private Healthcare

[frontalman]

As this is a forum for sharing experience and information regarding living in North Cyprus I’d like to share our experiences of state healthcare here.
A few years ago Sally had a knee operation at Girne’s state Akcicek hospital to repair a torn minisc (I think it’s called). She has never had a problem since. The cost was 1400 TL. She had previous history with the hospital after treatment for a form of Leishmaniasis, which required weekly injections to get rid of a chronic lump caused from a bite by a sandfly. So she had a hospital number and knew her way around. This was eleven years ago, or so.

Recently it become evident that she required a hysterectomy, after her having put it off for many years. We got a quote from a private practitioner who has been mentioned on this forum quite recently for the op, which was 9,000 TL to be carried out at a plush new private hospital.
As Sally’s experiences with the state system have been only positive, she wanted to investigate the state route before committing herself. She paid her 15TL to see the lovely Dr Hasan Akcam (a man) – her words not mine, at Girne Akcicek polyclinic, who examined her and gave the same conclusions regarding the need to operate. He took a smear test which we had to take to Lefkosa state hospital pathology lab to make sure there was no cancer to deal with (another 20TL). When this came back as normal he arranged to operate within a few weeks. He sent us to the surgical nurse, who listed the tests Sally would need before the op – ECG, X-ray and 22 blood tests, which were all carried out within half an hour at Girne hospital (320TL in total). She also gave Sally a list of stuff we would need to buy at a medical supplier for the op – surgical stockings, pads for the bed for after the op and a cardboard keyhole surgery thingammy (380TL in total).

Sally went in to the Girne Obstetrics and Gynaecology ward for the op on Monday at 7am. She was prepped and went down for surgery just before nine. She was back in her bed just after 11am. She is now back home, two and a bit days later. I can only say that her treatment has been wonderful, the doctor is a gem and the nursing and cleaning staff were fantastic. I really cannot praise them enough. The cost of the hospital stay and the op was 1,451TL plus 48 TL for the box of chocolates we bought the nursing staff. So the total cost was around 2,200TL.

I know it’s not about money and that private medical treatment means having everything taken care of for you (I guess, because we have no experience of it), but I can only reiterate our contentment with the state facilities and would encourage others to consider them first.

[Deniz1]

Wishing her all the best.

[frontalman]

She is fine but needs lots of rest. Thank you.

[waddo]

frontalman, excellent report, many thanks. I can never understand why people rush off back to the NHS when there are perfectly adequate facilities available to all here. The private route is good for some people but for most the State route is adequate in that you are dealt with extremely efficiently (in most cases) and receive good care and after care if needed. I make no bones about it, the State system reminds me of the old military system of hospital and care - you were never pampered there, just given the treatment required - so I am happy to use this system rather than assist in clogging up the roads by furnishing funds to purchase yet another high priced vehicle! The one thing I will say about the State facilities is that you do need assistance from a friend or family member to make it easier to live with.

[Brend]

Full agreement with you on this one. My husband has had to use the state system in the past and got nothing but praise for it, no waiting, excellent care
and very cheap. Wouldn't hesitate in using it again if needed.

[lee666]

Frontalman, excellent write-up and I am sure your good lady will be up & about soon.

Thank you

[Mr Davidson]

Thank you very much for sharing this detailed information with us. Also please thank your partner (wife?) for allowing us to know her intimate details - it wasn't 'too much information' as it assisted a lot. Wishing her speedy recovery and future good health

[helendj]

Thank you for putting up this post it is very interesting. Unfortunately I've had several experiences with the private hospitals, not all positive, and should the need arise again (let's hope not!), I will take your course and try the state option, so many thanks. I wish you and your wife all the very best!

[geroff]

Sorry for sounding ignorant, but do you have to be registered for the state hospital? Some of us dont live full time in NC and how would we go about having any treatment , do you just walk into a hospital and ask for an appointment? ..
Sorry for sounding thick but dont really understand what the difference is , ...

[ifonly]

Glad to hear that ybh is on the road to recovery.
For those who do not fully understand the system - when you have spare time away from your caring duties - could you explain about the poly clinic system and what is needed/where to go etc in order to see the doctors to receive treatment.
Do people just turn up at the hospital /what time/where/how do they know which type of Dr to ask to see if it is a "generalised problem" ---- any info for those who don;t know or are not sure would be brilliant.
I have used the State system but only on a couple of cases of emergency/accident so it was A n E situation - with thankfully no inpatient stay needed. I must say i was seen/treated in a very short time ( 10- 20 minutes) by caring staff and the cost on 2 occasions was 10TL and 20TL.
But who to go to, where and when in a non emergency/accident situation is not really clear.
Thanks

[sophie]

I wish I had the stamina to use the State Hospital (have used it in emergency though) There business of getting there at 7am. Queuing for an hour to get a number only to find out I was in the wrong queue. Then getting number 32. Then standing in a corridor for hours with nowhere to sit, nearly finished me off, particularly as I noticed there was a lot of queue jumping. Dying to go to the loo but dare not lose my place, Finally seeing a very harassed consultant after lunchtime. It was chaos and I could have cried. I'm sure she will be fine, and remember, she mustn't even lift an iron!

[frontalman]

Glad to hear that ybh is on the road to recovery.
For those who do not fully understand the system - when you have spare time away from your caring duties - could you explain about the poly clinic system and what is needed/where to go etc in order to see the doctors to receive treatment.
Do people just turn up at the hospital /what time/where/how do they know which type of Dr to ask to see if it is a "generalised problem" ---- any info for those who don;t know or are not sure would be brilliant.
I have used the State system but only on a couple of cases of emergency/accident so it was A n E situation - with thankfully no inpatient stay needed. I must say i was seen/treated in a very short time ( 10- 20 minutes) by caring staff and the cost on 2 occasions was 10TL and 20TL.
But who to go to, where and when in a non emergency/accident situation is not really clear.
Thanks

Please see my other comment.

[kayc]

From what I've seen - the care at the state hospital is very good here and very affordable.

coming from the USA, where healthcare is out of the reach of most average American's and health insurance is out of this world expensive... it's comforting to know that if I need care, I can be assured to get it and be able to afford it.

I'd also like to mention that a hysterectomy in the USA averages $36,000.00 (without insurance) Let that sink in! Wondering what other procedures cost? It'll blow your mind!

https://costestimator.mayoclinic.org/fi ... procedures

Here's to your wife's well being and restored health.

[frontalman]

Thank you very much for that.

[frontalman]

Sorry ifonly I did post some other information but it appears to have not appeared as it were.

I don't think there is any discrimination at the state hospitals. A lady from Tajikistan was admitted at the same time as Sally, none of her family could speak Turkish or English. As over 60s we no longer have residency. They normally give you a ticket which you can stick to the back of your passport.

The procedure is to first find out which doctors are consulting on a particular day. Reception will tell you. Most doctors speak good English, but not so the support staff so it's best to take someone who can speak a little Turkish if you can. Dr Akcam, for instance, is at Girne polyclinic on Thursday and Friday am, I believe, and at Lefkosa state hospital polyclinic on Tuesday and Wednesday am. On the day your doctor is there you go early, purchase a ticket and wait your turn. It's not too busy this time of year but in the Summer I'd take a book.

[frontalman]

I didn't mention before, but when Sally was admitted she was offered a private room, but she declined and ended up in a twin room with a spare bed. This was handy because on Monday night one of her friends stayed the night with her and slept on the other bed. I was not allowed to stay as the ward doubles as a maternity ward and men are not allowed overnight.

[sophie]

I envy the service you and Sally have had. I wish I had taken a Turkish speaking person with me. If only to stop the queue jumping and making sure I was at the correct kiosk at 7am. I would certainly be a whole lot richer than I am now!

[frontalman]

You are given a number and patients are called in order, so I don't understand how queue jumping can happen. You have to stand up for your rights wherever you are.

[Sewage]

So happy to hear that your lovely wife had good care at the state hospital so refreshing to hear,private here is I feel very overrated the prices differ if your an expat or otherwise it’s just experience that I have been through

[Thomas]

One of my friend recently had a hip replacement in Lefkosa state hospital only cost £1800 treatment was good with no problems , private room etc

[Art]

A very interesting article and here’s wishing your wife a speedy recovery.

I recently found it necessary to have a blood and urine test together with an MRI scan.I decided to go to a private hospital in GIrne and within 2 hours the tests were completed (with reports)and the radiology report was available for the consultant to examine.Total cost 800 lira.

I have the same tests annually in the Uk -Total cost £1200 (excluding flights) and I have to wait 7 days for the blood test results.

State and private hospitals offer great value in the TRNC.

If private treatment in the UK was more affordable the NHS waiting lists would be more manageable.

[johnerebus]

Private hospital stay of three nights in Girne - £1000.

5 admissions by ambulance from Esentepe to Lefkosa State Hospital ICU a week each time - TOTAL of £1000. Same doc in both hospitals Hmmnnn!

[Hammerhead]

My wife is having chemo and is very poorly,does anyone know somebody who will take her and pick her up from karakum to state hospital,thankyou

[tansycat]

Which state hospital?

[Hammerhead]

Which state hospital?

Lefkosa

[tomsteel]

Which state hospital?

Lefkosa

Contact Tulips.

[mickyw]

I know this is going off track a little , but has anybody on the forum had a knee replacement in the TRNC and if so what was the outcome.
Mike.

[Heaven]

I have just had fantastic care and treatment at Girne State Hospital. Cannot fault the treatment, the friendly staff and the helpfulness of other patients who explained the system. Ticket system works and I used to go about 9.30 am. if a ticket was left, fine, if not I would try the next day. The cardiologist was amazing. Each visit the cost went down by half until my last visit was 7.5 TL! I had originally had to go to A and E and was told to go back the next day to see a cardiologist. Went to the desk for ticket and asked to see the Cardiologist. No problem. 50 TL and for that I was given an ECG, Echo test with Doctor and then put on a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. Was told to go back the next day at 11.30. Can only praise the hospital

[kibsolar1999]

you are aware that the TRNC state healthcare is sort of a tax backed "NHS with contribution", yes?
the hospitals are built with tax money... maintenance, elelctricity and so on as well.. and most of the the doctors are forced by law to work in hospitals, mainly till noon, and earn additional money after lunch privately.
otherwise consultation fees of 20 TL would not be possible.

but sometimes it need seeral weeks until your operation and maybe several month.

also, do not trust our hospitals and doctors on this island too much... the possibilities for more difficult treatments can come quick and unexpected to an end.. and then? but this applies also for private clinics. plus.. there is basically no rehab available.

so, a good private (co) insurance still is mandatory. togo south, to fly back to UK or whatever.