Peace of Mind When Travelling
Most of us enjoy holidays, from the thrill of a city break to the calmness of a good book sitting on a sun lounger. Travel enriches our lives in countless ways. But for those of us managing medical conditions, the excitement can sometimes be overshadowed by anxieties about our health when we travel. Will my medication be accessible? Will doctors abroad be able to understand my unique medical situation? What if there’s an emergency? How will I manage my symptoms in an unfamiliar environment?
These are valid concerns, but they don’t have to keep you from discovering the world. With careful planning and a proactive mindset, you can experience the joys of travel while maintaining your well-being and finding true peace of mind.
Preparation is key
The cornerstone of stress-free travel with a medical condition is being well-prepared. Consult your doctor and schedule a pre-trip appointment to discuss your travel plans. They can provide tailored advice, adjust your medication schedule for time zone changes, and offer essential documentation like a doctor’s letter outlining your condition and necessary treatments. Ask about potential risks at your destination and any required vaccinations or precautions.
Medication management
Ensure you have an ample supply of all necessary medications, plus a few extra days’ worth in case of delays. Keep them in their original, clearly labelled containers, along with a copy of your prescription. Consider packing them in your carry-on luggage to avoid loss or damage. If your medication requires refrigeration, research how to manage this during transit and at your accommodation.
Understanding your insurance
Review your health insurance policy to understand your coverage while travelling, especially internationally. Consider supplemental travel insurance that specifically covers medical emergencies, repatriation, and trip cancellations due to health issues. Keep copies of your insurance information readily accessible.
Pack smart. Take the World Medical Card with you
Your packing list will be slightly different when managing a medical condition. Information at your fingertips should take priority.
The World Medical Card is not just a physical medical alert card and app that holds your vital medical information. It’s your global safety net.
Developed using the World Health Organization’s global standards codes, the World Medical Card ensures that health professionals and pharmaceutical personnel globally understand your condition and requirements.
You can take the World Medical Card anywhere you go, on the app on your phone, and the physical medical alert card in case of power or internet loss. With the clever app or the physical card, you can always communicate with the pharmacy should you need to buy medications. Show the pharmacist your app, which translates information into 135 languages.
If you have a condition that can flare up while travelling, you can load this vital information into your World Medical Card profile (on the app or card). Show the details if you need assistance from medical personnel.
How World Medical Card Works
The App
It couldn’t be simpler to download the secure app.
Sign up and input your up-to-date medical information, including medicines and prescriptions, surgeries and implants, vaccines, allergies, donor status, X-rays or hospital records, photos of non-prescription medications, diagnoses and insurance details.
You will have your own personal profile, which can be accessed via the app or browser.
We encrypt all data to make it secure but make it easy for you to share with loved ones or medical personnel, with the addition of contact information and emergency buttons to relatives.
The app can translate your medical information into 135 languages if needed. In non-emergency situations, it can also help you locate doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies wherever you are.
You can share your profile with relatives, travel partners or others you trust so that they can provide you with a first line of support.
The Card
When you sign up, we will also send you your unique World Medical Card, which will contain all your medical information sealed inside.
In an emergency where power or the internet is unavailable, a medical professional can obtain your medical alert card and access your medical history to ensure speedy and accurate treatment.
Your medical information is coded according to the World Health Organization’s global standards codes (ICD-11, ATC) to ensure that health professionals and pharmaceutical personnel worldwide understand your condition and requirements.
Your card has a unique password for emergency access to your profile to avoid misunderstandings about your health and achieve fast and correct medical treatment.
We recommend that you always keep The World Medical Card on your person.
