This section introduces the various medical advice & treatment options.
Where to turn
Local or online doctor?
In most medical & health situations (especially emergencies), using a local doctor as opposed to an online service, is preferable unless your access to this type of care is limited. You should also be aware that a consultant on the other side of the world may have limited knowledge and experience of your local medical and health environment.
Health information on the web
There are now many sources of health information on the web but remember that anyone can place information on a website so you need to be aware of this when viewing such information. We recommend that you use the following checks to safeguard, as much as possible, against unreliable and unqualified advice:
- Who has written the information, what are their qualifications and whom do they represent?
- Who owns and sponsors the site?
- How good are their sources or is it a personal opinion? Always look for references to clinical trials supporting any statements and, where possible, go to the original source.
- When was the site last updated?
(If you suspect that some health information is dubious, you might try consulting www.quackwatch.org )
Facilities & doctors
Getting Treatment Around the World
This section of the UK Department of Health website can help you find medical facilities in other countries.
Website: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Healthadvicefortravellers/Gettingtreatmentaroundtheworld
IAMAT (The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers)
IAMAT is a non-profit membership organization. Since its founding in 1960, IAMAT has been a world leader in advising travellers of health risks, geographical distribution of diseases, immunization requirements and sanitary conditions of water, milk and food, and environmental and climatic conditions around the globe. IAMAT also maintains a network of physicians - general practitioners and specialists, hospitals and clinics around the world - who have agreed to treat travellers in need of medical care during their journeys. IAMAT continuously inspects clinics in an attempt to ensure that travellers receive competent medical care. Any individual traveller can belong to IAMAT. There is no charge for membership, although a donation is appreciated to help expand and support IAMAT's work.
Website: www.iamat.org
Email: iamat@centex.net
NHS treatment
To read about NHS treatment for mission workers, see the following:
Article: 'Free NHS Care for Overseas Aid Workers' by Richard Kellow www.stewardship.org.uk/documents/NHS_treatment_for_missionaries_working_overseas.pdf
A generic draft letter is available for mission workers seeking free treatment on the NHS when back in the UK:
To read about NHS treatment entitlement for those entering the UK from abroad, see the following websites:
www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors/fs/en www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/health
Non-NHS treatment in the UK
Private (and sometimes free) treatment in the UK is available through the following services:
www.stlukeshospital.org.uk (Anglican missionaries only)