Hospitals/Pharmacies
Hospitals:
Bantayan Town has a small Hospital, as does Madridejos at the top of the Island, and there are smaller clinics in Santa Fe, Bantayan Town & Madridejos to treat simple issues, but if you are seriously injured or need urgent care, you may have to get a Ferry off the Island and go to Cebu City (Chung Wa Hospital, etc.) Bantayan Hospital also has a Dental Clinic.
I know of situations involving motor crashes, kidney stones, etc. where people arranged for an ambulance to transport them to Santa Fe Pier so they could board a Ferry Boat to Hagnaya, and be fetched by a waiting ambulance at Hagnaya Pier, taking them to a Cebu City Hospital for urgent treatment.
Payment is in cash when services are rendered, and in some Cebu City Hospitals, before services are rendered.
* Most US Health Insurance plans are not accepted here in Philippines - it's wise to purchase some travel insurance before beginning your trip (do a search online; there are many companies specializing in this, at reasonable prices)
* Dentists are also located in Santa Fe, Bantayan Town & Madridejos, and there’s an Eye Doctor in Bantayan Town located off the Plaza’s south corner, for eye exams & glasses if you need them there. (get your contact lens solution there if you run out)
* Dr. Jupiter Batayola is a General Practitioner of Medicine in Bantayan Town, and treats many foreigners on Bantayan who need to see a doctor - he’s an easy going guy with a very good reputation, and is located beside JCB Pharmacy on the Plaza’s south side - just ask at the Pharmacies, or in Bantayan Town Plaza and he’ll be easy to find, and I can personally recommend him.
Pharmacies:
The best & biggest are in Bantayan Town in the Plaza area and at the vendors plaza by Bantayan Pier, and many prescription meds in the USA are available over the counter here (you’ll need a prescription for painkillers & the like)
Rivmar Pharmacy is a good small Pharmacy in Santa Fe, and is a 60 second walk from Khel’s BBQ in town, just ask around and locals will point you there.
I personally keep a supply of CIPRO (Ciproflaxin) the latest 5th Generation Antibiotic with me for emergency use only, as do many travelers - but since I'm not an MD you'll have to ask your own doctor for medical advise regarding your international travels.
* CIPRO is not usually available in Santa Fe - you’ll have to go to Bantayan Town’s Pharmacies to get it.
Previous page: Emergency Services
Next page: PNP/Philippine National Police