Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEFORE YOU GO
» Get a check-up from your dentist and your doctor if you take any regular medication or
have a 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 director- ies of certified doctors.
» If you'll be spending much time in remote areas (ie anywhere away from capitals and
major cities or tourist centres), 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
Royal 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
medical necessity.
Insurance
Find out in advance whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers
or will reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. Most doctors and clinics in the
region expect up-front payment in cash.
It's vital to ensure that your travel insurance will cover any emergency transport required
to get you at least to Johannesburg (South Africa), or all the way home, by air and with a
medical attendant if necessary.
If your policy requires you to pay first and claim later for medical treatment, be sure to
keep all documentation. Some policies ask you to call back (reverse charges) to a centre in
your home country where an immediate assessment of your problem is made. Since
reverse-charge calls aren't possible in many parts of the region, contact the insurance com-
pany before setting off to confirm how best to contact them in an emergency.
