Medical Clearance from Peralta Clinic

NZ government is quite strict when it come to the health of prospective migrants. Actually, even those going there as tourists are also subject to medical clearance. They want to be sure that you wont be taking with you any communicable diseases nor be burdened by your medical expenses.

Before, NZ accredits only 2 clinics - Peralta in Makati and another in Cebu (now there are 7). In some documents you'll see the name Varwig. He is actually Dra. Peralta's German business partner who died already.

Who are required to undergo medical exam? Dati, everyone included in the application. Now, all family members kasama even if not coming to NZ.

At what point in the application process does one go for medical evaluation? Since this is good only for 3 months, it's best to go to the clinic after ITA has arrived. However, you can do the preparations in advance (para mas mabilis at maka-tipid). If you're hypentensive, start loosing weight. If you're diabetic, work on normalizing your bloodsugar level.

What to bring to the clinic. First of all, you need to fillout sections A, B1 to B4 of the medical form before going to the clinic. Also, don't forget to bring your passport and 2 passport size pictures.

If you've been treated or hospitalized in the past, ask your doctor to give you a certificate. Dra. Peralta required it from me for my appendectomy in 1986 and an operation in the ureter in 1991. Medyo madali yung sa pangalawa. I just went to National Kidney Inst. - Records Dept. and requested for a certificate. Dun sa una di na ako nakakuha kasi pinangparikit na ata yung records ko. Pumayag naman si Dra.

For the kids, do bring their immunization record. Ayaw ni Dra. Peralta ng hand-written. It must be machine-printed on the doctor's letterhead. If the child lacks a shot, it'll be provided at Peralta.

The test. This is the main event. The test includes the ffg: x-ray, fecalysis (stool), urinalysis and hepa B screening. If you tested negative for hepa B, you'll be checked for hepa B titer (level of antibody). Kung hindi enough yung antibodies, they'll administer hepa B vacc to you (3 doses). I suggest that you get hepa B shots as early as possible. Humingi ka na lang ng cert. from the doctor para maniwala sila sa Peralta. Aside from this, magpa-Diptheria-Tetanous (DT) and MMR vacc. ka na. The moment you go to the clinic, they will not allow you to have the vacc. given outside.

Kids under 12 y/o and pregnant women are exempted from x-ray. However, because TB cases in the Phil. is rampant, my 5y/o son was required to have an X-ray. This confirmed his history of primary complex. Binigyan din sya ng PPD/mantoux (TB skin test). Buti negative si Vince.

Fees. For li'l Shannen, since physical exam lang, we paid P1,000. For 5y/o Vince, P1,650 plus P400 for the PPD/mantoux. For Henry and myself, each of us paid P2950 plus P420 for hepa B titer and P2,250 for DT and MMR. May kasabay kaming family of 5 na umabot ng P40k. That is because the father is hypertensive and diabetic.

Peralta Clinic is open Mon-Fri 8-5 and Sat 8-12. Saturday is 'toxic' so try to avoid it.

One last thing, changes in the medicals will be implemented come July 2005. Since tapos na kami don, di na masyadong binusisi yung ibang details. Basta ang alam ko, mas maraming tests ang gagawin, mas malaking bayarin.