In Reply to: in my experience.... posted by kristal on Saturday, 31. March 2007 at 14:57 Bali Time:
and in my experience 6 million IS quite a lot for hospital treatment, but as you say it depends on what the problem is, and which hospital, and what medications are needed etc. A friend recently had a baby, including a C section, and a VIP room for a week for 5 million. Another late last year, also in VIP room but no c section was 2.5 million.
The point I was making is that if you ask to pay the hospital direct that 9 times out of 10 the request for money will be withdrawn. You can speak to the doctor if you are paying the bills. You don't need to get the medical details, just make the financial arrangements, but you can ask and be told what you are paying for.
I think that most are acutely aware of the differences between themselves and their Balinese friends, it is why they help them in the first place. And it's only natural to feel awkward when they are asked for money and to wonder when the requests continue if the situation is genuine. And they have every right to feel offended if they find out that their 'friends' are being less than truthful.