Hospital Mãe de Deus

'Hospital Mãe de Deus is prepared to meet any level of complexity in all medical specialties.

Since our inception, we have been providing high quality health care to Brazilians and are accredited by the National Organization of Accreditation attaining the highest standard of excellence. Now that we are in the final phase of Joint Commission Accreditation, we are opening our doors and officially welcoming international patients.'

'In 1979 the most optimistic person would not dare to dream that in 32 years, Hospital Mãe de Deus could reach this privileged position.

Besides our private sector recognitions, Hospital Mãe de Deus is nationally referenced by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the National Agency of Sanitary Vigilance for its innovative projects in public health.'

The Porto Alegre Municipality strongly believes in the development of Medical Tourism as a promoter of the city's economy and social development, being certain of the quality of public services featured. None of that would have been possible if we did not have a network of private hospitals and medical centers as well - which for decades have been working towards research, qualification skills and technology investment.

Porto Alegre is also recognized in the political scene as a forefront center of democratic experiences such as the Participative Budget. This is all part of a whole, the hard-working attitude and seriousness of the local people and a culture that values local; a culture that values history and the future; a culture that integrates the community, and makes dialogue between public and private routine.

It is an honor to be in touch with you. From now on, I would like to invite you all to travel to Porto Alegre, a city that will become one of the most important destinations for Medical Tourism in the Americas, as is our wish, given our efforts and hard work.

Porto Alegre (which means happy harbor), while having that well-known Brazilian trait of happiness, is part of a different Brazil. This means a more European-like Brazil, featured in the people, in the culture, in the mild weather, in the charming wineries and cafés, and in the historic architecture. All this thanks to a rich mix of cultures, especially since the great Italian and German immigration of the past. This cultural melting pot originated one of the areas with the best quality of life and prosperity in Latin America. It is here that great companies like General Motors, Dell and Pirelli have their plants. It is here where Gerdau was founded (Gerdau Ameristeel and Gerdau Masteel). It is here where celebrities like Gisele Bündchen and Ronaldinho Gaúcho were born.

Located on the Argentinean and Uruguayan borders of Brazil, the strength of this city is also manifested in other areas such as health care. Home to traditional medical schools, major research centers, and centennial hospitals of excellence and internationally acknowledged medical experts. With ethics, transparency and accountability, Porto Alegre is prepared to provide the best and most enjoyable experience that any patient can have outside their home country.

Should it not suffice, Porto Alegre also features international cuisine, shopping malls, safety, tours, mild weather, distinguished accommodation and many English speakers.

I have often wondered what it would be like to be the president of the USA, or the prince of a wealthy oil nation. After my experience at M.D. D. Hospital, now I know! Upon arriving there I was treated like a prince! Victoria, the hospital international relations representative, met me at the front door upon my arrival. She greeted me with a smile, and despite having a silly New Zealand accent, she was extremely pleasant and engaging. I was a little worried about how would I pay for this, it would be expensive right? Well Victoria had already emailed my insurance company that morning and gotten approval for both the consult and surgery to be covered. And that brings me to my next point. Both the consult and surgery took place back to back, no waiting, no lines, and no forms (I had already emailed Victoria my name and insurance info, she took care of the rest). No waiting? No forms? I know what you are thinking, that I am a liar, that this cannot be true. But it is, I am a real person, I am don't work for the hospital, and this is the real deal. Now this last part, you won't believe, I almost won't tell it.

Victoria held my hand during the surgery! I'm not kidding. I was really freaked out by the needle, I am a baby about this stuff and Victoria could tell. She told me later that she thought I was about to pass out (c´mon I´m not that big a baby) but still she held my hand when they injected the anesthetic and started asking me about my weekend. This was the best hospital experience ever (aside from being born but I don't remember that). Anyways, my Portuguese sucks, I'm scared of doctors, but it was all because of HMD and its staff that I had a great experience!!! BTW, my surgeon was the best ever, super friendly and spoke English. Plus he told me funny jokes. No popsicle though LOL.

A friend from Brazil asked me an interesting question: 

"Where are you most likely to find sports-related injuries regarding soccer?" I said Brazil because it seemed like the obvious answer. She then asked, "How about tennis?" Switzerland or Germany, I said. She went on to say that if you have a hip, knee, or ankle injury, Brazilian doctors are a good choice to treat you because physicians in Brazil treat soccer-related injuries all the time. Per capita, they probably more knee injuries (of my kind) than any doctor anywhere in the world. 

I was attended at Mãe Deus Center. The International Relations Department took care of all of my planning, and I was able to count on them 24h, for all of my needs. I saw Dr. Marczyk, head of the Mae de Deus "Knee Group" Orthopedic Surgeon team. I've done research on many possible treatment options, and asked a lot of questions. He patiently answered each one, and made me feel very well cared for. When he learned that my father is a Radiologist in the U.S., he offered to send a digital file of my MRI and call him to discuss my treatment options.  Interestingly, he pioneered one of the surgery options I had read and asked about. I looked it up and saw his name cited in a medical journal. I calculated the price and realized I paid 1/5 of what I would have paid at home.

As a foreigner in living temporarily Porto Alegre, who is only just beginning to come to terms with the Portuguese language, I was terrified of having to go to the hospital when I got sick. But with the advice and support of the Hospital's International Relations Representative, I headed to Mãe de Deus Emergency. On my arrival at Mãe de Deus Hospital, I was greeted by a very friendly woman who was patient and kind with me whilst I was trying to explain in very poor Portuguese what my ailment was. She guided me to the registration desk and helped me through the Triage process. All of the nurses and clerical staff were extremely kind and patient with me and communication was easy, which was much appreciated as I was feeling so awful!

The wait to see the doctor was not too long, considering that I was not deathly ill and had entered via the Emergency Dept. The doctor was also extremely patient with me and diagnosed me quickly. I was then guided to the medication and observation room for immediate treatment, which I received from very efficient and skilled nurses. Once my treatment was completed, I simply had to sign a document and I could go home. ,

Overall, whilst being sick is never a pleasant feeling, I left Mãe de Deus feeling better, not only because of the medical treatment I received, but also because the process of registering, seeing the doctor and being treated was so easy and everyone I had contact with was so friendly, understanding  and patient. Mãe de Deus is my hospital of choice for all my medical needs.