8/18/2002: Guy cuts own finger off

[sleemanj]

Originally posted by dhamsaic
I'm just wondering what the hell kind of medical setup they have in New Zealand that this could possibly happen? Here in the U.S., we at least have the "if you need to be treated, you WILL be treated, regardless of your ability to pay" deal. And in Canada, state health care rules the roost, so you <b>apparently</b> get shit done (I only know this from talking to Canadians, so I'm fairly ignorant of the details on how it works up there). What the hell is going on in New Zealand?

While I think our health system is better than the States (I guess it's similar to Canada) - if you need something done, we'll pay for it, but you might have to join a waiting list if it's not life threatening.

If you can afford it, or have health insurance then you can go private straight away and live in a luxurious more hotel than hospital for a wee while.

Our public hospitals are very good, but generally underfunded (we are a small country, we don't have much in the way of funds).

This guy, I think he just slipped through the cracks somehow for such a simple operation he should have been treated for it a long time ago, our Minister of Health is looking into the situation.

FWIW, from what I understand, if I was a tourist in the states I would not want to require a hospital stay, if I was a tourist in NZ I wouldn't worry about it we'll pick up the tab.