So my haitus has been quite a bit longer than expected. After all, a week in internet time is an eternity.
Lila and I are fine, but Noah just isn't getting better. He has been in bed for days, but I started to worry when he began to be verbally unresponsive. So we've been forced to explore the health care system in Salta.
This is what I learned:
You can call for a doctor to make a non-emergency house call any time of day or night. That number is 0387 4212123 (NOTE: The previous number I posted was not correct. I have updated and verified this one) and is specifically for travelers, non-nationals and those who don't have health insurance.
It's 55 pesos for the visit. That's, roughly, 15 dollars. It still floors me how much cheaper quality health care can be outside the US. It's better to take a house call before going to the hospital. Your hospital visit goes more smoothly with the house call recommendations.
It may take a couple hours for the doctor to arrive. The doctors are extremely thorough and seem to have a strong working knowledge of herbal medicine in addition to allopathic.
The doctor who visited our casita last night was calm, patient and took his time as he ruled out everything from drug interactions to meningitis.
Bottom line? No emergency run to the hospital. We will, though, take Noah for bloodtests in order to rule out any infections or diseases, because "we are, after all, near Bolivia and Paraguay."
Thank you to Monica, our upstairs neighbor who helped me navigate the system, find the doctor and even drove Lila to school this morning. Actually, thank you doesn't quite cover my gratitude.
Thank you also to AJ, who sent constant e-mail support. And thank you to you Twitterfolk @olivosartstudio @vickybaker @umarket @integralhack @claibornem who provided insight, information and support. Funny how people you've never met can become a community.
