Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IN AFRICA
Availability & Cost of Health Care
Throughout much of the region, capital cities are the only places with good emergency
medical service. For Western standards, expect to pay Western prices.
If you become seriously ill, seek treatment in the capital city or in South Africa or return
home. If you fall ill in an unfamiliar area, ask staff at a top-end hotel or resident expatriates
where the best nearby medical facilities are. In an emergency contact your embassy.
Well-stocked pharmacies are found in capital cities and some major towns. These will
invariably carry chloroquine and sometimes Fansidar (both for malaria) and other basics,
though it's best to bring whatever you think you may need from home.
Always check the expiry date before buying medications, especially in smaller towns.
We've given some suggested dosages, but they are for emergency use only. Correct dia-
gnosis is vital.
There is a high risk of contracting HIV from infected blood transfusions. 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 the region, although with a few basic
preventive measures, it's unlikely that you'll succumb to any of these.
Cholera
Cholera is usually only a problem during natural or artificial disasters (eg war, floods or
earthquakes), although small outbreaks can possibly occur at other times. Travellers are
rarely affected. 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 avoided by careful selection of good drinking water
and by avoiding potentially contaminated food. Treatment is by fluid replacement (orally or
via a drip), but sometimes antibiotics are needed. Self-treatment is not advised.
