Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IN BOTSWANA & NAMIBIA
Availability & Cost of Health Care
Good-quality health care is available in all major urban areas in Botswana and Namibia,
and private hospitals are generally of excellent standard. Public hospitals by contrast are of-
ten underfunded and overcrowded, and in off-the-beaten-track areas, reliable medical facil-
ities are rare.
Prescriptions are generally required in Botswana and Namibia. Drugs for chronic dis-
eases should be brought from home. There is a high risk of contracting HIV from infected
blood transfusions if you need to receive a blood transfusion. To minimise this, seek out
treatment in reputable clinics. The
BloodCare Foundation
(
www.bloodcare.org.uk
)
is a
useful source of safe, screened blood, which can be transported to any part of the world
within 24 hours.
Infectious Diseases
Following are some of the diseases that are found in Botswana and Namibia, though with a
few basic preventative measures, it's unlikely that you'll succumb to any of these.
Cholera
Cholera is caused by a bacteria and spread via contaminated drinking water. The main
symptom is profuse watery diarrhoea, which causes debilitation if fluids are not replaced
quickly. An oral cholera vaccine is available in the USA, but it is not particularly effective.
Most cases of cholera can be prevented by not drinking tap water and avoiding unpeeled or
uncooked fruits and vegetables. Treatment is by fluid replacement (orally or via a drip), but
sometimes antibiotics are needed. Self-treatment is not advised.
Dengue Fever (Break-one Fever)
Dengue fever, spread through the bite of the mosquito, causes a feverish illness with head-
aches and muscle pains similar to those experienced with a bad, prolonged attack of influ-
enza. There might be a rash. Mosquito bites should be avoided whenever possible. Self-
treatment: paracetamol and rest.
