By Judy McEuen, Travel Writer
SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
Every traveler must have a ready contingency plan in the event of a medical emergency during a trip abroad. Illnesses and injuries may happen without warning so, you have to be ever ready to deal with it when and if it happens.
It is cliché, but it is true: prevention is better than a cure. Do not leave for long distance travel if you are not in top shape. Undertake a medical and physical exam a few weeks before your planned trip. You want to make sure that there are no viruses or bacteria brewing an all out war against your immune system. If they go undetected, you might end up spending your vacation nursing an illness in a cramped hotel or hospital room.
Get a medical insurance policy
Secure a comprehensive medical insurance policy. Your insurance should cover medical emergencies, hospital expenses, medical procedures and evacuation or transportation expenses. You may need to pay extra for a medical insurance that provides good coverage while you are overseas. Just remind yourself that the financial relief that such a policy can give you in the event of an emergency is worth every centavo that you will be paying for it.
Brush up on how to call emergency numbers at your destination. If you can’t trust yourself to memorize a string of numbers, make sure to save them in your phone book or a piece of paper that you can easily access. If you have a pre-existing medical condition that may give rise to an emergency situation, it is recommended that you always carry a serviceable mobile phone. It will allow you to immediately call for medical help if you need one.
It is important that you always carry relevant medical information about you. Your blood type, known allergies and pre-existing medical condition and medication are crucial for doctors to determine the appropriate medical procedure to follow.
If your medical emergency involves a serious surgery or procedure, make sure that the local medical facility is capable of providing a quality operation. Call your physician back home and discuss the matter with him or her. If you don’t need to have the operation done right away, explore the possibility of getting transported to a better equipped facility for the procedure.
If you desire to be transported back home, you can hire international medical service providers for a medical evacuation or medivac. This usually involves air-ambulance flights on a helicopter or other fixed-wing aircraft. They don’t come cheap, so make sure that medivac is included in your insurance coverage.
Hire a medical escort if necessary
You can also hire a medical escort on your trip back home. These are medical professionals, usually registered nurses or paramedics, who accompany a sick or injured individual on a trip back home. They make sure that all travel arrangements are set for the trip. They also monitor the patient’s condition and administer the required medications and other medical procedures during the trip.
Finally, if you are a member of international medical organizations such as International SOS and International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, you can tap their services to help make arrangements and referrals for you in the event of an emergency.
