Medical Exam Experience (Part 1)

I just want to share my medical exam experience at St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic last September 19, 2011. By the way, SLMCEC is located at 1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila. They can be reached by telephone at 521-0020 and 521-8647. They are open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For me, it is best to arrive for your medical examination before 6:00 a.m., but for some they say after 1:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday after all we will go back the next day for the result. Don't go on a Friday because it's normally a two day ordeal which means you don't need to stay for the weekend when you are not from Manila or travel again by bus to come back before the second day if you live in a nearby province. Applicants are served on a first come first served basis, but the order of release of the medical reports will depend on the complexity of the results of the medical examination. Please note that I am not an expert on this matter, some facts here may not be applicable to you.

Things to bring to making the days so much easier for you:
1. Appointment Letter-original and photocopied or NOA2 letter and NVC Letter with MNL Case No. Those with no interview schedule yet will be asked to sign a form at the receiving counter.
2. Passport-(valid at least 6 months)
3. Four colored pictures (2 inches x 2 inches) with a white background. Print your full name at the back. For photo requirements, click here
4.Medical Examination Fee- $213.35 (15 yrs old and older) and $185.35 (under 15 yrs of age). SLMCEC does not accept credit card or dollar payments. The fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate.
5. Black ballpens-not the sign pen
6. Folder or envelope- to place and safekeep the documents during the exam.
7. Snacks and bottled drinking water- Although,at the entrance there is a sign there that says " No food and drinks allowed" I was able to bring mine inside even the guard saw it when he inspected my bag. I guess you just have to keep it inside the bag and drink or eat discreetly.
8. Bring umbrella- It wasn't raining when I went out of the hotel but as soon as we were falling in line outside the clinic it started to rain so hard and I was too scared to leave the line because there were already a commotion going on regarding who comes first. And you guess it right! I stayed in line outside the building, under the rain without an umbrella. You never know when it is going to rain!
9. Jacket-to keep you warm
10. Magazine,book,gadget- that will keep you entertained while waiting for your name to be called. I had no worry about this because I easily made new friends when I was falling in line.

Hotels near SLMCEC with current rates:
1. Lotus Garden Hotel (P2250) Tel. - This is where I stayed for the duration of my medical exam. SLMCEC is just around the corner from this hotel. Free buffet breakfast, free wifi access inside the room (which is also one important factor for me because I can chat with my hubby every night or as soon as I am done with the exam), free toiletries, and Robinson's Mall is just walking distance too! *Just be careful not to wear the hotel's slippers because they will charge you P200 for it. That is already too pricey for me for just a room slippers so I brought my own.
2. Paragon Tower Hotel (P2,464) Tel.526-5541 to 47
3. Citystate Tower Hotel (P1,750) Tel. 400-7351 to 61
4. Grandprix Manila- (P799-Easy Bed) (P1500-Superior) Tel.353-3319 and 353-3323
5. City Garden Suites- (P2,300) Tel. 536-1451 and 526-0959
6. Tropical Mansion- (P1,000)

I arrived Sunday, a day before my planned medical exam. After checking in my luggage at the hotel, I went to inspect the area outside the hotel and the way going to the clinic. SLMCEC has no name outside the building. It is more like a gray hotel with glass exterior. I took a picture so you will have an idea in case it is already your turn to have your medical exam. Then, I went to have my lunch-dinner at the Robinson's Mall.

FIRST DAY:
I arrived at St. Luke's at 3:30 a.m. I was hoping I'd be the first or even the first five on the line, but when I got there I was already no.24. Unfortunately, it rained and so some people were already starting several lines which cause the arguments because our batch that came earlier was now the last people in line, but it was settled that we're really the first to get inside. I had no umbrella that time and was too scared to be walking away from the line. Anyway after patiently waiting for almost two hours outside the building (under the rain!) we were finally moving to get inside. The guard at the entrance will give your number as long as you have completed with the requirements.
For us ladies, take note of the first day of the last menstrual period. They will be asking you this several times along the whole process so be very consistent with the date. You will also be NOT allowed to have the physical exam during your menstrual period even when you are only having the last few days or spotting. So if you want to save time and effort, plan the medical exam at least a week after or before your period.
Be sure to eat a meal before going to the medical exam. It might take you up to seven hours to finish the first day of the exam and surely the long waits will make you hungry.
1. After giving the guard the appointment letter with the photocopy, the passport with the photocopy, he gave me no.24 and a form called Patient Data Sheet (PDS) and the other guard at the entrance door stamped my right hand after checking the contents of my bag. I should only fill out questions with check marks. Under “Alien Case No.”, I put the MNL Case no. Don’t forget to sign at the back of the PDS form.

2. When the staff calls the number, we are asked to fall in line front of the counters usually by batches of 10. When it was my turn, I was asked to have another picture taken because my ears were not clearly shown, but the staff was nice enough and told me I can do it during the releasing of the result. I told him it was the same photos we sent to the NVC, but he warned me that the US Embassy is stricter than the National Visa Center. For those with the acceptable photos, the two photos will be stapled on the PDS and the other two will be on a resealable plastic and stapled. So I thanked him for that. He asked me to look at the cam and had my Digital Picture taken while I was seated. They also asked me about the degree I finished in college. He instructed me to put my right index on the fingerprint scanner four times. After a few questions, he told me to process to the cashier to pay the medical fees located at located at the 5th floor. By the way, for Immigrant Applicants I wasn't aware that we can already do it faster because we can fill out the form online and we have a separate window for online web registration. Click here

3. I took the elevator going to the 5th floor and at the corner, just right beside the elevator I found the cashier and handed her the documents and payment in peso. At that time, I paid P9,174.00.

4. I was asked to proceed to the 3rd floor for the X-ray. I gave the set of papers to the nurse at the reception and was asked to fill out a form and instructed to put the first day of the LMP at the upper corner of the page then affix my signature, then I waited for my name to be called. When I was called, we were instructed to change into hospital gowns and to not tie the back part of the gown. We disrobed our upper garments, no bra, necklace allowed and hair should be tied up. I used a hair clamp because I have long hair and it was easier for me. I then waited at the waiting area for my name to be called for the X-ray. When it was my turn, the nurse positioned me and asked me to check the names located at upper front of the machine. She told me to inhale deeply, hold my breath then exhale. I went to put back my clothes and went back to the reception. I told her I have the old films, but she firmly said that they will not accept it, then she told me to proceed to the 4th floor.

5. When I was at the 4th floor, I gave the set of documents to the nurse at the reception. I was told to sit down and wait for my name to be called. After a few minutes, she called my name and have the fingerprint scanning done and gave me back my papers and pointed the blood extraction room and wait for my turn there.
6. The nurse asked a few questions before the collection of the blood sample. She asked me my name and first day of LMP. She asked me to breathe deeply, then she was already getting a few millimeters of blood. She told me to press the cotton ball firmly for a few minutes and instructed to proceed to the Urine Collection Area. The staff gave me a small plastic container with my name on top of the cover. She said they will just need a few samples of the urine so no need to fill up the whole container. I handed her back the sample then washed my hands then instructed to go to the 5th floor.

7. At the 5th floor, there were two counters. I walked towards the US counter that is located at the right side and handed my set of papers to the staff. She asked me to sit and wait for my name to be called. When I was called, I waited outside the door of the Visual Exam Room. The nurse called my name and asked me to go inside a dark lit room. Only the computer screen and the Snellen chart is lighted. They measured my body weight and height then asked to sit down on a chair with a Snellen chart behind me. I was looking at the Snellen chart from a mirror view. I mentioned the letter as soon as she pointed it. I couldn't see the one letter she pointed. Guess, I am not 20/20 vision anymore.
8. I went back to the US Counter staff again and asked me to sit down and wait for the taking of vital signs. After several minutes, my name was called and the nurse took my blood pressure and pulse rate then asked me to give the set of papers to the US Counter staff again. She then made me wait and be seated at chair just outside the cubicle no. 6 for the physical exam.
9. The sign at the door of cubicle no.6 says Dr. Maab. Don't worry about getting naked; all female applicants will only be assigned to a female doctor. So after the prior lady applicant got out of the cubicle, I went in, smiled and greeted the doctor. She smiled back and asked me questions such as if ever I had previous pregnancies, LMP, surgeries and different diseases. She made me signed a logbook then asked me to undress completely and change into a hospital gown located at the foot of the bed. There's a curtain between the doctor's desk and the bed. She told me to leave the gown untied at the back and lie down on the bed. She examined both my ears/earlobes (I believed it was for checking earring holes that might have infected.), throat (for any swollen nodes), neck (for any suicidal attempts), breasts (for any lumps), wrists and arms (for any suicidal attempts and/or use of drugs). She pulled up the gown and checked my abdomen for any scars if I had any operation. Lastly, she made me lay on my left side with my knees close to my torso somewhat like a fetal position. She spread my butt cheeks and examined my anus for any hemorrhoids and my private part for any other possible infection. After changing back my clothes, she asked me to go to the 2nd floor for the Immunization Interview.

10. At the second floor, I gave the set of papers to the reception and told me to sit and wait for my name to be called. I waited for more than an hour here! The doctor plainly asked me if I had the diseases she mentioned, LMP and last contact, if I had chicken pox before and I showed her the scar. She told me that I should only be getting two vaccines when the result of my medical exams is OK. She told me to check out at the reception. The staff at the reception area gave me back the receipt, the appointment letter (or NOA2/NVC letter), passport, and the claim stub that is written in English and two other dialects. She instructed me to come back tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. for the result.
Copy of receipt
Copy of Claim Stub
Appointment Letter page 1
Appointment Letter page 2
Map to St. Luke's

•☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Good Vibes Everyone! ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•
to be continued...