Mandatory Annual Health Exams

We were told yesterday that today we would go in groups to the Annual Health Exam. It's our understanding that the entire population of China goes for a health exam at the start of each Chinese New Year. So we went with our company at their expense. About 10 of us went this morning and the groups will continue to go this afternoon and tomorrow.

We were told to fast after midnight. We were not pleased and expected a long hungry morning standing in many lines at the local hospital. One of our major goals for this adventure is to entirely avoid the Chinese healthcare system. Blown in the first few months! But at least we weren't sick or injured. And the wait was minimal.

So after the morning meeting we all piled into two cars and off we went. Steve actually drove one of the cars. We parked and headed inside. I was pleased with how clean everything looked. On the walk up from the parking garage I quizzed one of my beginner students. It was funny to see him shocked to have to speak English outside the classroom.

We walked in and registered at the front desk of the Health Examination Departments.

Waiting in line to register

The first line we went to was the blood drawing area. It was just right out in the open but you could smell the antiseptic in the air so we were good so far. The nurse was amazingly efficient and the blood draw was painless.

Next we went into a small room and were handed a cup of water and a pill. This is where the American fun began. The following conversation ensued:
Dana - What is this?
Nurse - (pointing at water) Swallow it.
Steve - But what is inside it?
Co-Worker - It's medicine.
Dana - But I'm not sick. (smile)
Co-Worker - You swallow it.
Steve - We don't usually swallow things unless we know what it is and what it does.
Nurse - It's for your stomach.
Steve - (translator app in hand) The back says Carbon. What do you think?
**at this point the medical staff, our co-workers, and the other patients were staring blankly at us**
Dana - Carbon is natural. Whatever.
**we swallow said pills**

We were told to wait for 15 minutes and then we were given a device to breathe into for the test. It's our understanding (thank you Google and Google translate) that it monitors for stomach cancer and acids. Although about 50% of the population test positive, very few are harmful.

Americans finally giving in and submitting to the test

And that was the extent of our Health Examination. Thankfully we weren't weighed. I doubt I pass Chinese standards!

All finished and we lived to tell the tale!

Then we all went to eat lunch together since everyone was very hungry. The guys took us to a buffet style restaurant that was delicious with many choices. Our total was 26 RMB (about $4.50). Food here is so inexpensive.

Restaurant is the red and yellow sign. So good and we've been by it multiple times without knowing what it was!