Foreign nationals may be used to getting a health check up in their home country. But since international travel is still restricted, should foreigners wait for their health checkup?
For foreign nationals, visiting home and being around familiar surroundings and people, including a visit to a trusted family doctor can be a welcomed comfort. However, being on time with an annual checkup is even more important.
Annual health checks help with the early detection of any underlying diseases, even if there are no symptoms. Some symptoms include high levels of serum uric acid that could lead to gout, or high cholesterol that can potentially cause atherosclerosis, clogged arteries. An annual health check promotes health by ensuring the appropriateness of ongoing treatments and following up on minor problems from previous health checks. It can also be seen as preventive care since results from a premium health check can be used as a risk assessment for future development of diseases.
Selecting the right annual health check package can be based on several factors including age, pre-existing illness, personal risk factor, family history of diseases. Premium packages offer more in-epth investigations such as VAP to measure cholesterol and hypertensive markers.
Why are in-depth investigations helpful? Unlike the standard cholesterol test, the advanced VAP Cholesterol test assesses levels of all the blood lipids measured in a standard lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides), plus subclasses of lipids that are known as emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as LDL particle size and lipoprotein(a). Because of the detailed lipid analysis, the VAP Cholesterol test can identify people at risk for cardiovascular disease with a detection rate that is more than twice that of routine cholesterol panels. The sophisticated VAP test allows physicians to more accurately assess their patients’ risks for cardiovascular disease, and thus to better manage their treatment.
Within a few days of the health check, a detail report will be issued. Within the report, will be a summary of any abnormalities or problems. Unlike many other health centres, a doctor consultation will be provided to explain the results. Based on clinical findings and risk factors, a referral can be provided by one of the hospital’s many specialists to examine the matter further.
Especially for foriegn nationals who are far away from their home country, knowing the status of their health is crucial for adopting the right healthcare plan.
Director of International VIP Center, DeltaHealth Hospital Senior physician of Family Medicine
Languages: Mandarin, English, Cantonese, Hokkien, Malay
Dr Eddi Tham graduated from Melaka-Manipal Medical College of Malaysia with a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). Dr Tham has more than 15 years of practicing experience as a General Practitioner and Pediatrician. In addition, he served in Western Sahara as a military doctor under a peacekeeping mission of the United Nations. He specializes in Family Medicine, Pediatrics and General Surgery. He takes a keen interest in the fields of Pediatrics, Psychology and Diving Medicine.
Physician of Family Medicine
Languages: Mandarin, English, Cantonese, Malay
Dr Lim received his medical degree in 1998 from Karnatak University. He completed his training in Family Medicine in 2010 where he was rotated through various departments in both inpatient and outpatient care. Dr Lim was trained and exposed in the diagnosis, treatment and handling of various ailments pertaining to Family Medicine. Dr Lim is specialized in Family Medicine with several area of interests that include pediatrics, gynecology and minor office surgery.
Dr Lim has over 20 years of clinical experience. He has served in some government general hospitals, army medical centers, and various private centers in Malaysia after graduation. Dr Lim has been practicing in China for the past several years in Suzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou as a Family Physician before joining Delta Healthcare in Shanghai. Dr Lim is also a member of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia.
DELTAHEALTH Hospital Shanghai
ADDRESS: 109 Xule Road, Xujing Town, Qingpu District
DELTAHEALTH Clinic Hongqiao
ADDRESS: 3F, Block A, Gubei SoHo, 188 Hongbaoshi Road, Changning District
Appointments: 400 821 0277
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