Cliffhanger weekend - Medicals and NBI Clearance

[marriedtomrg 141]

Hey VJ Peeps.

Had Day 1 of our medical exam on September 23. I kind of had to make a sudden decision since I hadn't had my period yet (possibly stress-related) and I was afraid I might get it the following week, so we went a week earlier that we planned. Everything went pretty well, considering we arrived around 8:00 a.m. We were done at 1:00 p.m.

Almost all the departments we went to didn't make us wait so long. The longest we took was during the physical examination since I had to discuss our previous medical conditions and surgical procedures (Pippo hasn't had any, just me).

I've had TB of the bone a few years back (2003), and our daughter had primary complex when she was 2. We've both been treated (me for 1 year because of how bad the TB had affected my ankle, and Pippo for 6 months).

I got a clinical summary for me, but was not able to get a medical certificate from Pippo's pediatrician. So in the end I got a chest x-ray, and Pippo had to take the TB skin test (TST) --- the results of which could only be available after 72 hours. If I had her medical certificate, she would have had the chest x-ray the same day as me.

Had Day 2 of our medicals yesterday (September 25). The guard entered my Patient Data Sheet (PDS) number into the computer and saw the beautiful words "FOR IMMUNIZATION" on the screen. I was very happy of course, but there was still Pippo's TST reading to deal with.

Rick and my mother-in-law (she is a registered nurse) already explained to me that because Pippo and I have had TB, we will ALWAYS test positive in a TST, even if we are treated. As expected, it was positive, and Pippo had her chest x-ray. But because SLMEC's policy is that two (2) doctors read the x-ray results before finalizing them, we have to come back on Monday (September 28) for the verdict.

My mother-in-law (God bless her) said that since Pippo doesn't exhibit other symptoms of TB they will find nothing on her chest x-ray. So, with God's grace and mercy, I am praying this will be the case...

We are just dying to come home to our new family.

Have I mentioned that I need to go to NBI Main to get my NBI Clearance fixed? lol I went to NBI's Satellite Office in Las Piñas and requested for my clearance there. I didn't wait long...I arrived around 9:15 a.m. and was done by 10:03 a.m. Saw the magic words No Record on File and just put it away.

While waiting to be immunized at SLMEC, however, I decided to go over it one more time...and saw that my previous married name was not listed with the AKA notation. (a.k.a. <complete previous married name>)

I decided then to go back to NBI Las Piñas (but of course I told the clinic I was leaving and I would just get the shots done on Monday after I know the outcome of Pippo's chest x-ray results). When I got there and explained my situation, they said they do not issue NBI Clearances with the AKA notation...only the head office in Carriedo can issue that. Lord, don't you just love Philippine bureaucracy! Sheesh...you'd think what appears on their computer also appears on the head office's computer.

So now, not only are we left hanging on Pippo's chest x-ray results...I have prepare myself to go to NBI REAL early on a Monday morning (when it is just the BUSIEST day of the week to get clearances) and try to get this clearance sorted away before we go to the clinic (Monday is also the busiest day for applicants, I have read). It's my last chance to get it fixed since SLMEC takes your passport after the last day of your medical.

NOTE: Before they give you your shots, SLMEC has to prepare your complete medical file before they take it upstairs. That could take hours. So be prepared to wait for a while. If anyone has any tips on how to make the wait time shorter, comments are welcome. I waited over an hour before I discovered the missing info on my NBI Clearance and decided to leave to try to get it fixed.

I know that getting the NBI Clearance straightened out has to be done...am not trying to weasel my way out of it...but I am just contemplating a better way to get it done, since I have to get back to the office after we are done with the clinic.

Have any of you tried to tell the clinic that you want to bring your passport yourself to the interview (for whatever reason)? Your inputs would be appreciated.

Happy weekend!

[marriedtomrg 141]

Hey guys, a little help...my question is in bold below.

Thanks!

Hey VJ Peeps.

Had Day 1 of our medical exam on September 23. I kind of had to make a sudden decision since I hadn't had my period yet (possibly stress-related) and I was afraid I might get it the following week, so we went a week earlier that we planned. Everything went pretty well, considering we arrived around 8:00 a.m. We were done at 1:00 p.m.

Almost all the departments we went to didn't make us wait so long. The longest we took was during the physical examination since I had to discuss our previous medical conditions and surgical procedures (Pippo hasn't had any, just me).

I've had TB of the bone a few years back (2003), and our daughter had primary complex when she was 2. We've both been treated (me for 1 year because of how bad the TB had affected my ankle, and Pippo for 6 months).

I got a clinical summary for me, but was not able to get a medical certificate from Pippo's pediatrician. So in the end I got a chest x-ray, and Pippo had to take the TB skin test (TST) --- the results of which could only be available after 72 hours. If I had her medical certificate, she would have had the chest x-ray the same day as me.

Had Day 2 of our medicals yesterday (September 25). The guard entered my Patient Data Sheet (PDS) number into the computer and saw the beautiful words "FOR IMMUNIZATION" on the screen. I was very happy of course, but there was still Pippo's TST reading to deal with.

Rick and my mother-in-law (she is a registered nurse) already explained to me that because Pippo and I have had TB, we will ALWAYS test positive in a TST, even if we are treated. As expected, it was positive, and Pippo had her chest x-ray. But because SLMEC's policy is that two (2) doctors read the x-ray results before finalizing them, we have to come back on Monday (September 28) for the verdict.

My mother-in-law (God bless her) said that since Pippo doesn't exhibit other symptoms of TB they will find nothing on her chest x-ray. So, with God's grace and mercy, I am praying this will be the case...

We are just dying to come home to our new family.

Have I mentioned that I need to go to NBI Main to get my NBI Clearance fixed? lol I went to NBI's Satellite Office in Las Piñas and requested for my clearance there. I didn't wait long...I arrived around 9:15 a.m. and was done by 10:03 a.m. Saw the magic words No Record on File and just put it away.

While waiting to be immunized at SLMEC, however, I decided to go over it one more time...and saw that my previous married name was not listed with the AKA notation. (a.k.a. <complete previous married name>)

I decided then to go back to NBI Las Piñas (but of course I told the clinic I was leaving and I would just get the shots done on Monday after I know the outcome of Pippo's chest x-ray results). When I got there and explained my situation, they said they do not issue NBI Clearances with the AKA notation...only the head office in Carriedo can issue that. Lord, don't you just love Philippine bureaucracy! Sheesh...you'd think what appears on their computer also appears on the head office's computer.

So now, not only are we left hanging on Pippo's chest x-ray results...I have prepare myself to go to NBI REAL early on a Monday morning (when it is just the BUSIEST day of the week to get clearances) and try to get this clearance sorted away before we go to the clinic (Monday is also the busiest day for applicants, I have read). It's my last chance to get it fixed since SLMEC takes your passport after the last day of your medical.

NOTE: Before they give you your shots, SLMEC has to prepare your complete medical file before they take it upstairs. That could take hours. So be prepared to wait for a while. If anyone has any tips on how to make the wait time shorter, comments are welcome. I waited over an hour before I discovered the missing info on my NBI Clearance and decided to leave to try to get it fixed.

I know that getting the NBI Clearance straightened out has to be done...am not trying to weasel my way out of it...but I am just contemplating a better way to get it done, since I have to get back to the office after we are done with the clinic.

Have any of you tried to tell the clinic that you want to bring your passport yourself to the interview (for whatever reason)? Your inputs would be appreciated.

Happy weekend!

[Loolie 56]

i never ask that to the clinic but i dont think you can do that...because they will put your passport with your medical documents and send it to the embassy...

but why you need your passport?

Edited September 26, 2009 by bmtrrbt

[marriedtomrg 141]

A couple of reasons.

One is my NBI Clearance. While I will try to get it done early on Monday morning before I go back to St. Luke's (they asked us to return at 8:30 a.m.), I am not sure how realistic that would be. I was thinking if they let me keep my passport, if I don't have enough time to get the NBI Clearance I can go in the afternoon.

The other reason is I need to retrieve funds and my passport is the only other very official ID I have that has my married name on it. The other is my employment ID. I need two valid IDs to retrieve those funds.

i never ask that to the clinic but i dont think you can do that...because they will put your passport with your medical documents and send it to the embassy...

but why you need your passport?

[Loolie 56]

you can try to ask them about it.

but you can also apply for postal id thats also valid id...if you cant get your passport or voters id.