Poor 弟弟 is having a bad tummy this weekend. He had bad diarrohea yesterday and was most of the time limp and listless. The running stool condition is better today, but his threw out his lunch. I have bought all sort of medicine for cold, fever, runny nose, cough but non is useful this time. I guess he must have eaten something bad or is having a bad case of ingestion.

I would have brought him to see a doctor if we are still in Singapore. Seeking the GP for consultation is so convinient and it gives us a peace of mind. New to Shanghai, I am not familiar with the medical services availiable. I see a lot of dental clinic around, but no clinics. Many foreigners visit private medical clinics/hospitals, meaning “expat doctors”, which are costly. Locals go to hospitals to seek consulatation. I have spoken to some locals about going to hospital, and they said it is normal that it is a half day or even whole day affair. The wait is long and tiring.

I have been to one of the local pediatric department of one of the local hospital as Zeeyau needed to do a medical checkup before she could be admitted to school. There was this room where children do their vacination and it was crowded with children and parents. It was kind of chaotic, but everyone observe a strange rule of queeing. The newcomer will place their immunisation blooklet below the whole big stack on the nurse desk and wait for their turn.

Well, that wasn’t the room for Zeeyau body checkup, so I went to the consulatation room, where there were again many children and parents crowding around, waiting for their turn to have their children do their routine checkup. It was totally unlike what we are used to, ie private room with the doctor inside. We are all in view of the consulatation process as the doctor and patient was only separated by a display cabinet. The doctor was very friendly and patient though, despite the noise made by the parents, grandparents, babysitters and children. I must say I was very impress with such coolness.  But i think it would be very stressful for parents if we have a sick kid on our arms and have to go through such long wait in such crowded environment.

However, there is this VIP service available in some hospital which could shorten the wait and lessen the torments. $$ will always do wonder in this place.