It is time for body house-keeping. One of the luxury (benefits) that i have this year is to get health screening within company budget, SGD xxx.00. A quick check on tells me that health screening in SG is so much more compared to Malaysia. So, i decided to get the check in Msia.
This
website gives links to many SG health screening providers. Since i'm a SG foreigner, general hospitals (also NTUC) are out from my choice. Raffles Medical Group
website lists some packages:
Raffles Lifestyle
S$262.15 (Without Pap Smear)
S$278.20 (With Pap Smear)
- Interview on Medical History by Doctor
- Physical Examination by Doctor
- Clinical Measurements
- 12 Leads Resting Electrocardiogram
- Lipid/ Cholesterol Profile
- Complete Haematological Parameters
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- Liver Function Test
- Kidney Function Test
- Gout/ Uric Acid
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Thyroid Screen (Free T4)
- Hepatitis A Screening
- Hepatitis B Screening
- HIV Screening
- Venereal Disease (VDRL/ TPHA)
- Urinalysis
- Stool Occult Blood
- Pap Smear (For Ladies)
- Post Examination Review by Doctor
This package is mostly lab test and Pap Smear which may cost less if performed in Malaysia. The last test in took with BP Malaysia on Merdeka Day Promotion (lab tests only) costs me RM100 (SGD24 approx). Of course, i cannot compare the service offered by both.
Providers from hospitals in Penang:
I am thinking of Island or Adventist Hospital, but i find it troublesome to travel all the way to Penang from my hometown. So, i decided something in my hometown, Taiping.
I found
Columbia Asia in Taiping (besides KPJ) The website is not informative and no health screening info is provided. Pictures below are taken in the hospital showing the packages available. A typical lab test package costs RM99 (approx SGD41).
 |
| Columbia Asia Executive Health Screening |
 |
| Columbia Asia General Health Screening with ECG and Chest X-Ray |
 |
| Executive Health Screen by Physician |
 |
| Columbia Asia Basic & General Health Screening |
Pap Smear test is not listed in the package and can be add-on for RM77 (liquid) or RM47 (normal). Of course, there is lady doctor (gynaecologist). So, i made my choice.
After visit: my test result shows everything normal. I got my report and charges are as expected, there is no hidden costs. The total experience is good, the staffs are nice but waiting time is long, especially the time needed to wait for the medical officer for reviewing the report. As of the quality of the officer, the explanation is detailed. He explained all the items as from the text book. I do hope that he can give more updated information regarding cancer marker CA199. My reading is higher than recommended (56.3 as compared to 37). Of course i pray that i am fine and he does suggest me to re-do the test (my ultrasound shows no abnormality so he suggests CT Scan...). I search online for CA-199 and it seems like the test is not really recommended for cancer screening.
PS: Plus side for Taiping Columbia Asia, new and not many people.
PS: There is a reason for the price difference between medical officer and physician.
I found an interesting
discussion here.
References:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/tumor-markers
