Clinica Maciel

Our only Clinica Maciel-related story occurred during some unusual weather in February, 8 or 9 years ago, when we had 36 straight hours of rain. Mrs. HolyMole had severe abdominal and back pain that kept getting worse. Since she wasn't in any shape to leave our room, we arranged for a home visit from our host's wife's father, a doctor affiliated with Clinica Maciel. With just four or five pokes of his finger, he diagnosed a kidney infection and prescribed a heavy dose of (I think), Cipro. He charged us 1100 pesos for the visit, which, at the exchange rate at the time, was about $130 Canadian. The pain was so bad that Mrs. H. would probably have given her left arm for relief.

I would consider that a bad experience. I want a doctor that runs tests before diagnosing and prescribing. The widespread use of inappropriate antibiotics, and especially the overuse of ones like Cipro that were supposed to be saved for last chance big guns, has led to antibiotic resistance. Caveat: not a doctor, just my (educated) opinion. The price for a home visit in the rain from a doctor not your own reasonable. Consider establishing as a patient with a local doctor who will know your health history and issues since you are here for six months and are no spring chickens and you will find the price is not that high.