Samitivej: a hospital or a Hotel?

The hospital experience in Thailand is quit amazing and leaves most westerners 'jaw dropped'.  Before coming here we were well aware of this and this was actually one of the reasons for bringing the family out here for a relatively short stay of 6 months.  Actually, after our poor experience with the birth of Quinn in a Dutch hospital I had promised Umit that she would never again have to have to give birth in a Dutch hospital.  This was a tricky commitment and I'm glad I found a solution.
We chose Samitivej hospital which is a walk from our apartment and was also the place where 3 of my sister's children were born (2 nephews and a niece).  With our son Tibbe 4 out of my parent's 6 grandchildren were born in this hospital.

Hotel lobby or hospital entrance? Notice in the background the waiting area...

The amazement start when you enter the hospital and hear the pianist playing music in the lobby.  Next you walk up to the reception and you wonder whether you've just checked into a 5 star hotel or a sterile hospital.  They actually treat you like a valued customer and make sure that you'll have a positive experience when you leave.  You'd think all this luxury commands a hefty price ... wrong ... it's probably 40% cheaper than the treatment at home in The Netherlands and probably 1/3 to 1/2 the price in the USA.  We've visited this hospital on other trips for small things and our Dutch insurance company gladly reimburses because they know it saves them money.  OK so now you say the doctors are probably less qualified ... wrong again ... they come from the best universities in the US and Europe.  You want an appointment? How about later today or tomorrow.  They don't even consider the weekdays and automatically book you on Saturdays and Sundays ... because they know you're working on other days.  No wonder there's an ever increasing stream of medical tourists and you meet people from all over the region coming here for treatment.
Once the Thai hospitals looked abroad for guidance on hospital management.  Today they are at the forefront receiving hordes of Western hospital managers that look at amazement at the efficiency of these hospitals.  This has been recognized by investors and Samitivej was bought by a Singaporean group couple of years ago and I understand their IT systems were bought by Microsoft. 

Umit's experience giving birth here in Thailand make the Dutch system look very primitive.  No midwives here for the checkups but a gynecologist.  No second guessing here if you can rely on basic technology and therefor every (emphasis added) checkup prior to birth included and ultrasound (operated by the gynacologist) to make sure all was going well.  No wonder the Dutch birth statistics are amongst the worst in the western world.  Umit's birth process is nicely described in this article.  Just an extract from this article:
"Samitivej’s recently revamped birthing unit consists of two large low-lit birthing rooms, painted pink and yellow, and designed to promote “active” births. Each room has a large birthing pool, a low bed covered in pillows, a birthing chair, an en suite bathroom, a fridge and CD player, and ropes and a climbing frame (for those who want a really active birth). Medical equipment was present but totally hidden from view. Patient rooms ranged from Presidential Suite to “ Superior” — the most basic, but still equipped with an en suite bathroom, a private balcony, satellite television and a bed for my husband.  Dr Sankiat presided over most of my straightforward labour and was there throughout the birth, a luxury afforded only to women with complications in Britain. In addition, three midwives were on hand with encouragement, gentle massages and generous doses of Thai graciousness"

So I'm impressed with the hospital service here in Thailand and this is in line with my general observation living and working in the region; people are generally eager to work, hungry to learn and are striving for a better future.  The mindset in this region is upbeat and people are positive about the future.  This is in stark contrast to Europe where people are preserving the status quo, complacent and governed by fear.  Their mindset is defensive, worried about maintaining their standard of living (and they should be worried), and generally more pessimistic.

I hope I haven't lost my readers by now and just a few hospital pictures to close off....

Plenty of (stylish) restaurant options and the competition between the different restaurants secures their quality.

Restaurants tucked away everywhere.

The 'basic' room ... there are 2 or 3 categories above.  Notice the little balcony outside ... with an outside kitchen.

Hospital or hotel? The floors make it a hospital ... I guess carpets would be a no-go ... mind you they're probably working on sterile carpets to make it more comfortable.

The Thailand birth experience ... with orchards and a lotus flower.