[sgxin]

I can attest to that. 

Earlier this year I went to the polyclinc to get a referral to see a specialist. I know the polyclinic doctor cannot treat me but I've to go there just so that the charges for the specialist can be cheaper.

The appointment date for the specialist was three months after I saw visit to the polyclinic. And then when I saw the specialist, he examined me and arranged a surgery which will happen one month later.

I told my Chinese friends about it and they told me that if I were in China everything will be done on the same day, and much cheaper.

Your 3 months wait was not as bad as this Chinese paper reader's complaint last year.
He had to wait a staggering 6 months after his polyclinic visit for his hospital consultation appointment!!!



This lady from Sichuan 绵阳 (tier-3 city with 5mln population) was able to walk-in on 6 April and get an appointment for a colonscopy the next Mon (10 April).
And total cost for the scope and sedation is a mere RMB 980 ( $190 ).
Spore present public healthcare system can never offer such a short service duration.
Even a colonscopy at private hospitals here will likely need a longer waiting time and very costly too. A friend just went for one recently and total bill was a high $5K+ (including biopsy samples).