Doctors

There are no doctors on the beach – the nearest with a surgery are in Panglao town centre on the road opposite the gasoline station. The local Health Centre is on the right of the church:

Dr. Juanita Arcay, Dr. Teofilo Arcay.

(038) 502-8090 (038) 502-8500

Hospitals

Hospitals demand to be paid before you are discharged, or you will be kept ‘hostage’ until someone else pays! It can be difficult if you are a lone traveller, so have some spare cash hidden away.

    The most up-to-date is: Ramiro Hospital, Gallares Street Tagbilaran.

(038) 411-3515

Ambulances

If you call a local hospital, they will usually send their own, but community ambulances can also be called in Panglao on either:

(038) 502-8080 (038) 502-8087 (038) 502-8500

   The Panglao Health Centre has an ambulance available. Charges are made in all cases.

Blood donors

You have to supply your own blood donors in most cases. On the beach

Arne Jensen (502-9035) Sea Explorers Divers

Is collecting a list of local people who are willing to donate and their blood groups. Blood is often needed to combat Dengue Fever, which can be fatal.

Dentists

Dentistry is cheaper, as good as, and quicker, than most in Europe. Two are suggested in Tagbilaran: Near Marcella Supermarket

Dr. Venerando Yap St. Jose Street

(038) 411-2029

Ear Specialists

There are several ENT spec-ialists in Tagbilaran, inclu-ding the mayor Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, but he has other duties to attend to, so try:

Dr. Oliver Yu. Ramiro Hospital (038) 411-3515

Dr. Racho Segundo. Dampas Road (038) 411-2135

Paramedics

Emergency services should be available from any of the dive shops on the beach: all of them should have medical kits for first-aid, and dive instructors have to have rescue training, which includes resuscitation.

   Diving related accidents are best dealt with by the individual dive shops which all have lists of who to contact in any emergency.

Rabies

Rabies is still prevalent on Panglao Island and children have died in the area – but not on Alona Beach.

   It is still advisable, however, not to pet or feed native dogs since the cost of human treatment runs into several thousand pesos, and you pay: most dogs are not owned and have not been inoculated and ‘clean-ups’ of strays are not very frequent.

Pharmacies

On the beach, Rona’s Corner by the police station has the best supply of over-the-counter medicines, although some sari-sari’s can help with minor things for sunburn and ‘fevers.’

   There is a drug store in the centre of Panglao town, but the best pharmacy is attached to the doctors’ surgery in the road opposite       the gasoline station.