Tips for travellers this festive season

Denelle Morais, Marketing Manager at Bestmed Medical Scheme

• End of year. Check.
• Vacation booked. Check.
• Travel itinerary. Check.
• Packing. Probably still pending.

As the holiday season approaches, ensuring every detail is in place is key. Yet, crucial elements like medical preparedness are often overlooked, which can make all the difference when the unexpected occurs.

Data shows that emergency departments encounter substantial challenges during peak vacation periods, including increased patient volumes, limited access to medical histories, language and cultural barriers when abroad, medical cover complexities and disruptions in continuity of care.

Whether you are heading to the beach, the bush, or travelling abroad, preparing for a medical emergency should always be top of mind. With a few proactive measures, travellers can reduce the financial and emotional stress of medical emergencies.

Medical prep ahead of travel

Before setting off, confirm that your medical cover is up to date, your membership is active and that there are no outstanding or delayed payments, travelling. For international travel, medical costs can be high, so plan ahead. Prioritise travel insurance for peace of mind. That way you only need to focus on recovery and not the cost of any medical emergency.

Schedule a check-up with your medical practitioner to obtain a clean bill of health and ensure that all your vaccinations are up to date. This is particularly important for those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, as vaccinations can help prevent severe illness.

What to pack in your travel medical emergency kit

As unexpected as medical emergencies can be, always carry a travel medical emergency kit to manage any minor illnesses or symptoms. Your kit should include essentials, such as:

• plasters
• antiseptic wipes
• personal prescription medication (along with a copy of your prescription)
• over-the-counter medication for diarrhoea, headaches, cold symptoms
• motion sickness tablets
• thermometer

In addition, source emergency contact numbers of the country you are visiting. If you are travelling with children or other family members, share these details with them, so everyone knows who to contact in an emergency.

Stay healthy on the go

Travelling can take its toll on the body and disrupt regular routines. Prioritise staying hydrated and resting whenever possible to give the body time to recover. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly to prevent the spread of gems. Carry hand sanitiser in situations where you are unable to wash your hands.

As you move around to different locations, remember to disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as phones, tray tables and armrests to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria.

Travelling is all about creating unforgettable moments and not dealing with avoidable medical crises. So, plan to make travelling less painful and find yourself a Personally Yours medical scheme that gives you the right cover, wherever you go.