EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Free discussion Nitronox Query

I knew a fair few of your kabayan during my years in the Desert Kingdom, Jesse. All good people too, I would have to say. Did our paths ever cross out there, I wonder?

Well, I was in Alkhobar-KFU Teaching Hospital for 1 year (1981) then Riyahd Armed Forces Hospital for almost 8 to 9 years. The rest was @ Hamad Medical Corporation -DOha, Qatar. I know a lot of them, in Riyahd Security Forces Hospital, King Faisal Specialist Hospital Riyadh (impact I have an offer to work there a year ago, but money wise is not that good, as you said the good old days are gone!), Khamis Mushat, Hofuf ( I was sent h=thier to the Medical Gas Purity Testing), Jeddah, AL Batheen (MODA) and National Guard. You will probably know some of them. Name some guys and I will probably remember.

I was never a "big hospital" man myself, Jesse, but was lucky enough to be more of a "desert biomed", if you know what I mean. My favourite of all was when I was down in the Asir Mountains ... and I was lucky enough to do two contracts down there (long time ago now, though). I would say that Al-Baha was the place that I loved best (but, again, that was in 1991).

I guess I've fixed kit in all the major cities in KSA, plus many of the smaller towns (and villages) that very few people would have heard of. Interesting places with names like Zahran Al-Janoub, Ahad Rufaidah, Khamis Mushayt, Sarat Abidah, Majardah and Tatleeth! I've worked as a hospital biomed in Jubail, Yanbu (briefly) and Onaiza. I was also involved with a number of new hospital projects out there (Jeddah, Ballasmar, the infamous Group-C G-100's, Khafji, Al-Hasa, Dammam).

Some names? How about Alex Barcelona? John Umawing? Rene Banzon ... all have been good friends to me. Way back at my time in Jubail I had the pleasure of working with Steve Cortez. I also recall the guys at Almana in Khobar, and many others who worked for the various local agents.

Names that come to mind are Ted Cagampang, Cherito Bulanadi (a damn fine x-ray engineer), Ferdi Estoce (ditto, but for a different company). Plus all my guys in the good old SATCO days, most of whom we "pinched" from the South Islands Medical Center in Cebu (Quezon Zapanta, Boy Quero, Boy Yutuc are three who come to mind ... there were many others)!

And I guess I should also mention Rene Rulete from my ZOMCO days (I worked twice for Mr.Zamil), and "my guys" at Onaiza (if only I could remember their names):- "Dodong", Ronnie, "Boy", and another whose name I just can't recall (it may have been Robert). Know any of those fine chaps?

Happy days, good guys, but all a long time ago now!

Some of them sound familiar but then again it has been along while since our desert days? I would probably recognized them if I meet them again. The best I have been is in Doha, Qatar a cosmolitan place now and lot's of sandy beaches. Friendly locals as well, unlike shabab in SA.
Cheers

Shabab? You obviously must have moved in different circles to the ones I was used too, Jesse.

I never had many problems with the Saudis myself (but, there again, I did go a bit bush). Frankly, I've encountered far more grief amongst my own people here in the UK. Far more crime, and bad behaviour too, for sure (and the driving standards are not much better these days, either).

I've not been to Qatar, but of the places that I've worked in the Middle East, I would say that I liked the Sultanate of Oman the best (but that was over twenty years ago now, so things may have changed). But as I say, the Asir region of the Kingdom takes some beating, in my opinion (I was hoping to retire to Al-Baha, but that looks a bit unlikely now ... any suggestions for an alternative, anyone?).

Hi Jesse
I was in Qatar in 2003. Worked a short stint with Al-Dana Medical (J&J sterilizers). During that time, i remember a Yayah Taher (i think) in Hamad biomedical. There was this kabayan in biomedical who is always smiling and does lab work. Danny (names are a bit fuzzy) of the Engineering (A/C) helped me a lot with the install and delivery.
Yes the locals in Qatar are friendly, the immigration officer even greeted me in tagalog.

Kumusta ka!

I heard sometimes the weather is unbearable in Qatar and the windy condition has affected our vision.

How do you guys landed up not working in your homeland. I guess is about challenges and opportunity.

Cheers!

I've just replied to an email from a buddy out in Kuwait who reminded me that it's presently 52 degrees during the day time, and 47 at night!


... could be, but it could also be about wonga!

I will admit that I originally went for the money.
However, it turned into a totally life-changing experience.