Sep 28, 2009 9:55 PM
by binsar
Euro Health Consumer Index has named The Netherlands as having the best healthcare system in Europe for the second year, as Expatica News reported. Denmark, Iceland, and Austria are in the following rank. Dutch healthcare system is somewhat more reliable, faster in waiting time, reachable, and have good outcome expectation than other European countries. I think this was also the reason why Cristiano Ronaldo came to Amsterdam Medisch Centrum when he had his ankle injury in 2008
This also answers some of the complaints that my friends have over the Dutch healthcare system and Dutch doctors. The most common complain I’ve heard so far is that whenever they go to the doctor, the doctor will generally not write a prescription. The common advice will be for them to get some bed rest and eat well. People who are used to drink general drugs (some even take antibiotics for minor headache) in Indonesia whenever they had headache or a small fever, would be disappointed to hearing that. This is the main complains of Indonesian people over Dutch doctors. People who are disappointed would usually buy their own medicine at local drugstore or their own medicine that they brought from Indonesia.
I am of the opinion that Indonesian people should not take drugs freely on the basis of minor health complains such as headache, small fever, cold, stomachache, etc. The reason we are disappointed by the advice is because our body is used to taking drugs in Indonesia that normal treatment would not work anymore. The fact that Dutch has the best healthcare system means that the doctor’s advice on bed rest is the best medicine for you if you have minor complains.
Dutch people in general, in my opinion, are very healthy. They love to bike (as means of transportation and to save money), eat simple food with simple ingredients (my Dutch housemate’s fav food is boiled potatoes, broccoli, and meat/fish – all those only with salt and pepper), only eat bread with cheese for breakfast and lunch (to save money and time), eat and drink a lot of dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, hagelslaag, etc), and love to walk over a distance (also to save some money). This helps increases the health of Dutch in general and increase the average life expectancy up to 79,4 according to 2009 CIA World Fact Book.
Dutch also have a really good social security system. Almost everyone is insured and although you don’t have money you can always be sure that you will get medical treatment whenever you need it. Even when some people are complaining about the time it takes to get medical treatment, you should remember that it is still the fastest in Europe.
In my opinion the doctors here are well educated and know what they are doing. However, I would still appreciate Indonesian doctors for doing so much more with so little technology help. But adding the fact that they have the necessary tools and technology, the doctor’s treatment here should be good. Thus, my suggestion for my Indonesian friend in the Netherlands is that you should do the doctor’s instruction. When a doctor in the Netherlands tells you to have some rest, then have some rest and try not to taking any drugs unless you really feel that you have to.
The news in Expatica
The Netherlands – The Netherlands has been named as having the best healthcare system in Europe in the 2009 Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI).
This is the second year in a row the Netherlands came in first in the healthcare study. Its leading position is followed by Denmark, Iceland and Austria.
The index which compares the healthcare systems of 32 European countries started in 2005. It is published by the Health Consumer Powerhouse of Sweden supported by the European Commission.
The EHCI rates the public health services of 32 European countries on the basis of six criteria regarded as important to consumers. These are patient rights and information, e-health, waiting times for treatment, outcomes, range and reach of services provided and pharmaceuticals.
Dr Arne Bjornberg of the Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP) said the Netherlands has found a successful approach to public healthcare with a competitive system of financing care. It was also praised for its minimal bureaucracy and the patient empowerment.
The HCP said while most European countries have carried out reforms in their healthcare systems, healthcare continues to deteriorate in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece. Health services in eastern and central Europe have also suffered from the recession.
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