Question to general practitioner Maarten: Use of hard plastic catheters in Thailand

Maarten Vasbinder lives in Isaan. His profession is general practitioner, a profession that he mainly practiced in Spain. On Thailandblog he answers questions from readers who live in Thailand.

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Dear Martin,

I am currently 63 years old and have been using Lofric hard plastic catheters for over 30 years. My consumption varies from 3 to 5 per day. I normally take these catheters with me to Thailand, even if I go to Thailand with my wife for six months. When I asked my supplier (also tried 3 others) they told me that they could not send it to Thailand because they have no experience with customs in Thailand.

In Thailand they only have the soft rubber catheters, also in the Bangkok hospital in Hua Hin. In this hospital, the urologist tried to insert the rubber version with pliers (because of scar tissue) which only succeeded after an hour of prying and caused me many problems and an admission to the same hospital (severe inflammation). The cause of the prying of the admission to the hospital was neither confirmed nor denied by the chief physician of this hospital.

Upon inquiry at various pharmacies in Hua Hin and Bangkok, it turned out that it was not possible to order the hard version. Now my wife also wants to take some clothes in the suitcases instead of catheters and I ask you if there are possibilities to order these in Thailand.

Regards,

F.

*****

Dear F,

First, an article about reusing catheters: https://www.nature.com/articles/3101646.pdf?origin=ppub

You can simply order your catheters in the Netherlands and have them sent by EMS, for example, so that you can trace them. Include the phone number of someone who speaks Thai well. If they are held up at customs, you will be notified and told how much you have to pay. Another option is shipping with UPS or Fedex. That is more expensive. They will then arrange any taxes.

You can see which other carriers there are on the following website: https://www.intlmovers.com/international_shipping.html

You can also search yourself on google with: shipping from netherlands to thailand. Count on a minimum of 6 weeks transport time.
You can also buy clothes in Thailand. Good catheters don't.

Have you ever been discussed about a suprapubic catheter? https://www.bernhoven.nl/home-patientenfolders/folders-urologie/informatie-over-de-suprapubische-katheter/ Such a catheter has many advantages.

I searched for Lofric catheters in Thailand, but couldn't find them. You could inquire with the manufacturer, or with Mediplast in Australia. https://www.bernhoven.nl/home-patientenfolders/folders-urologie/informatie-over-de-suprapubische-katheter/

Regards,

Dr. Maarten

Do you have a question for Maarten and do you live in Thailand? Send this to the editor: www.thailandblog.nl/contact/ It is important that you provide the correct information (see list at the top of the page).