That was about 12 years ago and he still recounts the story - with a smile. Because of the expense of the chemo he consulted the family and the automatic reaction was “go to Singapore for a second opinion”. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis and recovered with treatment.

I believe that the chemotherapy may have killed him had he proceeded. On another occasion I received a thorough medical examination and ultra-sound and the doctor concluded that I had an advanced case of breast cancer.

He advised that a surgeon was on standby and could operate that day. No way. I grabbed the ultra scan films and jumped on the next plane to Australia.

The Australian doctor’s prognosis on looking at the ultra sound was, “You definitely don’t have breast cancer”. He further investigated to confirm his diagnosis.

A breast cancer specialist suspected the Indonesian scans were “falsified” and in my presence showed how the scan scam worked. He held the scanner against a nipple and succeeded in recreating a triangular “shadow”, the “cancer” in the original scans.

I was delighted with the outcome but have worried since how many others have been needlessly operated on as a result of “scan scams”. Another doctor in Jakarta X-rayed my foot and concluded that it was serious though he could not detect the exact nature of the problem.

He tried the line “We will find the problem when we operate. I could adjust my busy schedule to operate this afternoon”. You have to be joking, operating on a foot to find out what is wrong! My second opinion in Singapore was, “Just a sprained ankle. You need to rest.” And all was fine.

My collection of Indonesian medical stories may someday fill a book. So I say to you, all who receive a serious diagnosis from an Indonesian doctor, always get a second opinion, including from other Indonesian doctors for there are competent ones.

If you can afford, travel to Malaysia, Singapore or Australia for that second opinion — it may save your money and life. Many Indonesian doctors will not tolerate patients asking questions about their diagnosis. The advice that I offer my family is to hold the doctor accountable. Ask questions, it is your right to know and hear a full explanation. Discuss any diagnosis with your doctor.

Nairdah
Sydney

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