Comments on: Special: ExPat Deaths and Systematic Cover Ups

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:06:24 +0000

Don’t worry. I changed it.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Don’t worry. I changed it.

By: QueenMom

QueenMom — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:53:34 +0000

oops! I did not realize my full name would be posted…silly me!

By: QueenMom

QueenMom — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:53:00 +0000

oops! I did not realize my full name would be posted…silly me!

By: QueenMom

QueenMom — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:52:23 +0000

I so appreciate Ms. White sharing the details of the case surrounding her son’s death. I WILL NOT entrust my children OR my health to anyone in this country. End of story! This is SO sad. While I could add to the corruption and how they turn their heads to corruption. I cannot comment because I have no idea what and if their would be any repercussions. BINGO! I am listening to the podcast while typing this AND Ms. White just mentioned how the Korean police sometimes hire “corrupt individuals” is how i will describe them. So I am not the only person who knows. WOW! This story blows me away! This REALLY REALLY concerns me that we (not you Ms. White) but so many American’s in foreign places feel safe because we do not speak or read the language fluently. I left a message on facebook saying how we almost allowed our 15 yr old to travel alone on public transportation this past weekend. I just have to say thank you for bringing to light the dangers that our kids face here in Korea. IT IS TRUE ABOUT THE MIXING of organized crime and the “police” notice it is in quotation marks.

By: QueenMom

QueenMom — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:52:00 +0000

By: Stephannie White

Stephannie White — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:31:08 +0000

Papertiger, you make some good points. It would also be wise to know that many EMTs in Korea do not have basic CPR, much less CPR for the professional rescuer or Emergency First Aid. As westerners, when we call 119, we expect a higher standard of care we could ourselves give in an emergency situation.

I’ve heard about and seen ambulances that get stuck in traffic, and it said the patient should have taken a taxi. But if someone CHOSE the ambulance mistakenly thinking the EMT’s would have emergency medical certifications… then there’s another serious problem added to the medical one they already have, incompetence & unwillingness to admit it.

By: Stephannie White

Stephannie White — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:31:00 +0000

By: Stephannie White

Stephannie White — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:31:00 +0000

By: Papertiger

Papertiger — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:09:10 +0000

I really think that, given the number of foreigners who have died under questionable circumstances here in Korea, it would behoove us to develop a protocol for expats should they find themselves the subject of a medical emergency. I’m not familiar with the details of the other cases, but one of the central issues of the Micheal White case seems to be a significant difference in our expectations for standard of care, the way that patients are expected to act, and the financial details that should be considered. Accidents do happen, people get into trouble…because of the number of…let’s call them “special circumstances” that could arise in the course of emergency care. I think an advisory should be released, one that provides a framework for expats to set up their emergency medical care, where they want to be taken, pre-existing conditions, medication being taken, and any other information relevant to their medical care.

Even as a guy who very rarely goes out drinking or does anything that puts me at risk (a risk factor in and of itself, perhaps) I am certain that I should have the details of my medical spelled out for my wife. We do have a small hospital in our neighborhood, but after smelling pot smoke pour out of one of their ambulances RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR HOSPITAL and seeing two emergency care workers exit…after going there for a minor back problem, I have to say that is the LAST PLACE ON EARTH I WOULD WANT TO TRUST MY LIFE WITH.

Suffice to say, the quality of care is NOT equal at all clinics and hospitals, so it would be a good idea for people to make a decision where they want to be taken in the event of an emergency. Also, having emergency contacts both Korean and expat would be a good idea…even if it’s a co-worker or a supervisor. Everything I’ve heard about people who have had emergency situations indicates how important it would be to make sure they get the care they need or prefer.