There is an interesting article on the back page of today’s China Post ( Friday, May 7 )… the CLA - Council of Labor Affairs ? - ‘sending instructions’ to the health authorities that foreign teachers renewing work permits don’t need to get yearly medicals ( only those newly arriving in Taiwan ).
Apparently there have been a lot of complaints from those foreigners already in Taiwan comparing the rules and regulations with local teachers who don’t have to submit to the same procedure(s) ?
Anyone else heard this ? Is it true ? Can we finally get away from yearly ‘blood donation’ and providing stool samples etc ?
Anyone else heard this ? Is it true ? Can we finally get away from yearly ‘blood donation’ and providing stool samples etc ?
fingers crossed ![/quote]
Actually, I have never given a stool sample during the entire time I have been legally working and living in Taiwan. Even when I first had a job in a cram school, I only had to give a urine sample and blood donation. Are you certain that one has to give a stool sample? If yes, why have I never had to give one?
Wow, I am sure glad that I first worked in Chung-li which is right next to Taoyuan. The idea of giving a stool sample would be enough to make me leave Taiwan.
Last time my roommate went to get his medical done, he didn’t even have to do the piss test. This was at Ren Ai, just a couple of months ago. The whole thing also cost less, only about 700 or so, I think he said.
Only had to dump in a cup the first time I did the medical, and that was at NTU. The woman I passed the cup off to held this thing up to the light, and peered at it as tough she were holding, well holding a cup of shit I suppose, and told me it wasn’t enough, and that I needed to add a bit. Maybe she thought I was a magician who could just quickly conjure up some more (yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow when I come back with a fuckin’ packet of the stuff. TADAAA!). Besides, the bottle says only a peanut-sized piece of poo!
[quote=“Kahna”]…Besides, the bottle says only a peanut-sized piece of poo![/quote]That peanut-sized piece of poo took me 45 minutes to get out!
What a battle it was… I hope the article mentioned by the first poster is true. I’d hate to go through “the war of the toilet” again. :bluemad:
I did an Alien about 12 years ago when they wanted a stool sample. Just said “no way.” But I still got my ARC.
I did have to give one this year for my JFRV but I did it at home after having a rant at the nurses about the “primitive Taiwanese and the filthy state of their personal hygiene.” I’m such a bastard, I know, but really, their toilets were a total disgrace.
No stool sample for me in Taoyuan last year.They wanted one in Changhua 2 years ago.My friend didnt gave a stool sample in Taoyuan 2 months ago.Maybe depends on which hospital you choose,Im not sure.
Never had to do the poo test this time in Taiwan, but in '96 had to do it (AND worked for Hess, don’t comment, I know! in the US, it cost a whole bunch of money as poo tests for parasites are not common in Ohio…)
Hubby still had to do the poo test as he is on my visa. If I don’t have to redo the medical, my life would be much easier. I have a hard time even pee-ing in a cup!
Anyone know if this is true? And also if it applies when you change ARCs?
I went for my medical last friday at Renai (sp) to renew and didn’t have to give a urine sample, only blood. Apparently ‘they’ don’t test for drug use anymore according to the powers that be at my HO when I asked them to check with the hospital why I did not have to give a urine sample.
Did have to give a stool sample in Hualien last year though…still trying to get over the trauma
45 minutes? Pshaw! (Does anyone say “pshaw” anymore? Did anyone ever say it?)
Two years ago it took me three days to produce the thing. Went in for the physical, then sat in the waiting area for three hours waiting for some action. Nothing. Went home, and waited a day and a half. Then in the middle of the night, got up, stumbled into the bathroom in a stupor, and failed to realize what I was doing until after I’d flushed. ARGH! Next morning I managed to squeeze out a turd, which I smuggled into the hospital that afternoon in a sandwich bag. Swore on a stack of Bibles it was fresh. I passed the physical.
Only in Taiwan would it be necessary to have a whole discussion on stool
I had to do two health checks for my first school, they took so long with the paperwork that it expired a couple of days before it was done. The first time I accidently drop the container in the squat-toilet and had to fish it out :s
[quote=“scott02”]There is an interesting article on the back page of today’s China Post ( Friday, May 7 )… the CLA - Council of Labor Affairs ? - ‘sending instructions’ to the health authorities that foreign teachers renewing work permits don’t need to get yearly medicals ( only those newly arriving in Taiwan ).
Apparently there have been a lot of complaints from those foreigners already in Taiwan comparing the rules and regulations with local teachers who don’t have to submit to the same procedure(s) ?
Anyone else heard this ? Is it true ? Can we finally get away from yearly ‘blood donation’ and providing stool samples etc ?
fingers crossed ![/quote]
It is not final yet. When they decide I will surely post.
I know this is straying from the main topic, but… Anyway, the other day I had to go in for another medical exam, for a work permit and I did not have to give anything but blood. It was nice not having to produce any other fluids
I am sure it depends what job you are doing. I never had to have a medical, either when I first came over in 2001, or when I came back and got another ARC a month ago. I work in Finance. However, I know all the guys working for THSRC always have a medical every year.
Once again, luck of the draw I guess.
in the US, it cost a whole bunch of money as poo tests for parasites are not common in Ohio…)