Our Experience With The National Health System

[Gene]

Today our baby came home from spending two days and nights at Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Klinikos http://www.santa.lt/. He was born with a blocked eye duct and he has undergone several proceedures to clear it. He had two proceedures done at the Baltic American Clinic where he was born. But they did not work. We knew he would eventually have to go to Santariskiu. We have been worried about that experience and while a hospital experience is never very pleasant, we were very pleasantly surprised with everything.

First, he and his mom were in a small private room. We understand that this is standard for the children's hospital, but not in all parts of the hospital.
Second, the clinic was very nice and comfortable. His room was frequently cleaned, the entire floor was clean and well taken care of.
Third, they have a nice, simple cafe where family and patient can relax and enjoy a small meal or drink (very inexpensive).
Fourth, the staff were very friendly and kind. His doctor seemed very good, highly experienced and very caring

We did not expect very much, but were very impressed with the experience. I do not know what the rest of the hospital environment is like, but from what I have seen of where my baby was staying, the Lithuanian Hospital System is quite good. I dont think we could have hoped for more.

Now we are just hoping that his eye will be improved. They tell us he is cured, but after living with it for a year, we are not sure whether to believe it. Time will tell.

[kuzukuzu]

Oh that's a sad situation, I hope his eye will be improved in its entirety, really. It's nice to hear everything went smoothly though. I've been both to the MDC on Grybu g., and to the VU infectious disease/tuberculosis hospital on Birutes, on both occasions it was very professional, no complaints whatsoever...

[Gene]

Kuzu

Thanks. So far it is looking pretty good. But it has before. Anyway, we are hopeful.

I guess I just wanted people to know that the Lithuanian health care system, in our opinion, is actually pretty good. Frankly, I was not sure what to expect, but it was MUCH better than I had hoped.

Thanks to our baby, we have been to private and public hospitals and doctors. While our experience is still pretty limited and may be it is not what others are seeing, I do not see alot of difference between the two.