Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEFORE YOU GO
A little pre-departure planning will save you trouble later:
»Get a check-up from your dentist and your doctor if you have any regular medication or
chronic illness, such as high blood pressure or asthma.
»Organise spare contact lenses and glasses (and take your optical prescription with you).
»Get a first-aid and medical kit together and arrange necessary vaccinations.
»Consider registering with the International Association for Medical Advice to Travel-
lers (IAMAT; www.iamat.org ) , which provides directories of certified doctors.
»If you'll be spending much time in remote areas (ie anywhere away from Dar es Salaam,
Arusha and Zanzibar), consider doing a first-aid course (contact the Red Cross or St John
Ambulance) or attending a remote medicine first-aid course, such as that offered by the Roy-
al Geographical Society ( www.wildernessmedicaltraining.co.uk ).
»Carry medications in their original (labelled) containers. A signed and dated letter from
your physician describing all medical conditions and medications, including generic names,
is also a good idea.
»If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician's letter documenting their med-
ical necessity.
Insurance
Check in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reim-
burse you later for overseas health expenditures. Most doctors in Tanzania expect payment
in cash.
Ensure that your travel insurance will cover any emergency transport required to get you
at least as far as Nairobi (Kenya), or - preferably - all the way home, by air and with a med-
ical attendant if necessary. It's worth taking out a temporary membership with the Afric-
an Medical & Research Foundation (Amref; www.amref.org ) or First Air Responder
( www.firstairresponder.com ) . See Click here for further details.
RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS
Regardless of your destination, the World Health Organization ( www.who.int/
en /) recommends that all travellers be covered for the following. The conse-
quences of these diseases can be severe and outbreaks do occur.
»diphtheria
»tetanus
»measles
»mumps
»rubella
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