Posted by
mayafox
20 yrs ago
Can anyone share their experiences of getting checkups for mom and baby at the Maternal & Child Health Centres? My thinking is that this is the postnatal equivalent to Tsan Yuk -- is that correct?
Bubs is a month old today and we had Louise from Annerley come round to check on us earlier on in the week. Feeling very happy and confident, so am wondering whether we still need to bring baby for a checkup at the MCHC, or if going private is a better option?
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Hi Mayafox,
My bub is 3weeks today and we also had Louise come out and check on us. so Im unable to tell you whether its best to go public or private however Ive booked into the MCHC for bubs 1month immunisations ( I believe theyre free or cost little), but will go to a private clinic, to get other immunisations which dont seem to be on the Hong Kong schedule. Im going into Annerly on a tuesday to have the weekly weighs etc.However as far as my 6week check im going private. Its just that I get to ask more questions and I feel confident with the obstetrician I was seeing prior to the birth.
Cheers
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Hi Mayafox,
I had my baby a year ago and have taken her to the Sai Ying Pun MCHC (the one next to the Tsan Yuk). I was happy with it. They just measure and weigh the baby at each visit and all the usual immunisations are done there too. It's free. Having been there for my antenatal appointments too, I was expecting very long waiting times, but have been pleasantly surprised each time with how quickly I can get out of there (although your first visit might take a little longer for registration). If you live nearby and are feeling happy and confident, I would definitely recommend this option.
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Thanks for your replies ladies -- very helpful. I will try out the Sai Ying Pun clinic for a weigh in and the standard immunisations and back to my private obgyn for my 6 week checkup.
Louise, I have a couple of questions for you -- what other vaccines are you planning to get? And do the Annerley Tuesdays charge for the weekly weigh-ins? Thanks so much...
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i think mchcs are pretty good. they are clean, free and you don't have to wait too long - they have appointment times. i do vaccinations outside though coz supposedly better, less chance of developing fever
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I had my daughters shots done at MCHC central. Very nice - the nurses were great, no lines (unlike the prenatal care) and my daughter long period of jaundice and they treated her for that too. I never had problems with fever either - and even if I did - they provided the meds for that too. Upon moving to Korea I was floored at the price for shots since I never paid anything at MCHC. There were two shots that I didn't receive at MCHC that I was told I had to get in Korea - Hib and pneumococcal (prevenar). There may be others that aren't on the schedule so double check with your country. It's a GREAT deal - talk to your friends who go private and find out how much each one of those jabs costs.
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I'm going private and its an arm and a leg, and preventative medicine is not covered by my insurance. However, at baby's 2 month visit, he did get the prevenar shots, and HIB too. I have a nice little schedule to follow and it seems pretty comprehensive.
At the two month visit he had DTPa, Prevenar, Polio, and HIB (two shots in both thighs, poor thing) and it was about HK$1500. I was really shocked. However, bubbs didnt get fever or anything. The HepB shot at 1 month cost 220.
How long is the waiting period at MCHC and where in Central is it?
Cheers
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Firsttimemom, I think the closest MCHC to Central is the branch on Queen's Road West.
I've made an appointment for Bubs to get his first month Hep. B booster on Monday and will let you all know what waiting times / service is like.
I guess the thing I am most concerned about is missing out on important vaccinations that we would otherwise get if we went private. I guess we could always get the Prevenar and HIB shots separately. What is the reasoning that these shots are not included in the required public vaccinations? Are there any others that we should get?
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I just searched HK gov. website - and seem to NOT be able to find the center I went to for both my antenatal care and for my child's appointments - the area was not so great (I would have to pass all these massive butcher shops while pregnant and be really tempted to hurl in the cab.)
But - they seem to have one in WanChai which I don't remember from before. I never waited for more than 20 minutes to see a nurse and get the injections...
http://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal_hkd.html
this is the list of places on HK Island. Queens' Road East seems the closest.
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:-))
20 yrs ago
I've been using MCHC in Tung Chung for both my babies and have had no problems. Very quick service. Only problem is getting hold of them on the phone to make appointments - they currently only answer the phone (2109 6801) four hours each week! (1130 to 1230 and 1530 to 1630, Tues & Thurs.) Also they are a bit old fashioned on some subjects (like the prenatal staff), so if I had a problem I would also seek advice from a private doctor.
Apparently the public system uses vaccines that are manufactered in mainland China and do have a reputation for causing more reactions in babies, esp the DPT(?) jab (first dose at 2 months old). But my first baby didn't have any problems so we are going to take our second baby next week.
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hkchoichoi,
The MCHC in central that you are probably talking about closed in April last year. Sai Ying Pun is definately the closest. The address is listed as Queen's Road East, but there is another entrance off Hospital Road (literally right next to the Tsan Yuk) which I found more convenient.
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Hi Wigwam -
thanks - was trying to help out First Time Mom. (i'm not longer in HK so I'm not always up on the latest news.)
As for immunizations not offered - or slightly different - oral polio vaccination vs. a shot (I had to follow up with a shot when I moved - no problem - and not a difference in efficacy.) Hib, Pneumoccocal, flu shots, chicken pox, and Hep A were the additional ones I had to get upon moving.
Also - you'll see some serious discussion on this thread regarding MMR and wanting to delay or not get MMR together and whatnot. Someone else here will have to tell you about their experiences with MMR given some of the controversy surrounding it. (By the way, according to my dad (a doc although not a ped) after extensive research regarding MMR - he said the controversy was actually unfounded and the vaccine was totally safe. But again, do your own research and come to your own conclusion.)
It's FREE though - I think it costs $1 to register. Any shots you got are completely covered. I found the staff to be really supportive about my breastfeeding (although you have to be pretty independent about getting additional information and support.) But it's a VERY wonderful service provided my HK government - and if you're paying HK taxes, why not take advantage of it?
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So we had our checkup and Hep B booster at the Queen's Road West MCHC and it was great!
Yes, there was a wait, and yes, the atmosphere is typical utilitarian government issue, but I was impressed by the efficiency and helpfulness of all the doctors and nurses. I also loved that they had a breastfeeding room with chairs more comfy than any I use at home!
I found the doctors and nurses there MUCH friendlier than at Tsan Yuk and at the QM. Everybody asked a lot of questions about baby and how we were getting on at home, and if I was getting enough support. They were very encouraging about breastfeeding, and helpful with bringing information to my attention that I may not have been aware of before, like not providing the HIB vaccine. I felt very confident with the care there, and will definitely be back.
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Hi Mayafox -
glad to hear that the care was so good for you. I miss it being away from it actually. (i'm in seoul now.) i'm getting decent care now, but i really loved how nice the nurses were when I went to the MCHC. AND they also loved me because I was breastfeeding - as they saw many women who chose not to. The wait times aren't horrendous, and it's nice checking out the other babies. My friends also wait to see their peds - maybe a fancier waiting room, but still a wait. How old is your little one? how are you getting along? Isn't it wonderful?
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crj
20 yrs ago
Although this is not a direct comment, from reading this thread the MCHC sounds great.
We go to a private pediatrician (thanks to insurance) but I have to say, we often wait one hour, the waiting room is not that nice and the nurses leave a lot to be desired... but we love the doctor.
So I don't think you are missing out on much in terms of waiting rooms, and it sounds like you have better nurses too!
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Thanks for all this info just moved here and need to finish my son's immunisation schedule. I was slack in Nz and didn't get the five month oldd done cause we were so busy packing and getting ready to come.
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HKCC -- Bubs is 6 weeks old and my feet still haven't touched the ground! I love getting to know this little person and how every day brings something new. It is amazing how ordinary things like taking a walk around the Peak is suddenly becomes a great adventure when doing it for the first time with a newborn.
I was really pleasantly surprised how encouraging the nurses in MCHC were about breastfeeding. I got lots of pats on the back for how beautifully my baby was putting on weight, which was a great morale boost for a first-time mom.
I was also surprised how candid they were about the vaccinations they don't provide which I may still want to get privately (like HIB). Does anyone have any experience of getting their 2 month shots at the MCHC and getting the HIB shot separately?
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Hi Mayafox,
Just in reply to a question a few answers back to whats not included on the HK schedle. Im going by the australian schedule, and you can find the schedule on the national australian immunisation website http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/nips
Also there is a fee for annerleys weigh in its $120. This also includes on some days an information session but they also have details on their website.
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