Stomach bug throws Asian holiday into turmoil
Posted by RSVP on
A traveller making their way through Asia, experienced severe vomiting and was admitted to hospital with a ruptured oesophagus. Once Mondial Assistance became aware of their condition, Medical Assistance Case Manager, Michael Stein immediately contacted Mondial Assistance in the relevant country, to obtain a medical update and assistance with the translation of medical records. During the customer's hospital stay, Michelle Collins, our Medical Assistance Team Leader provided his family with daily medical updates.
As the customer's recovery was expected to take a few weeks, the hospital's Treating Medical Officer deemed them fit to fly back to Australia with a Registered Nurse, to receive further medical treatment. However, once our Medical Assistance Registered Nurse/Case Manager, Melinda Nebeauer, arrived where the customer was hospitalised and assessed them, she expressed some reservations. After further discussion and review with the Mondial Assistance Chief Medical Officer, it was decided that a doctor would also accompany them back to Australia.
With the flight due to leave in 14 hours, Medical Assistance Case Manager, Con Whitehouse, contacted the Asian offices of Mondial Assistance to try to find a repatriation doctor who could assist at such short notice. Con worked into the early hours of the morning, and as a result of his efforts, a doctor was located in time to supervise the flight home. They all
arrived safely in Australia, and the customer was admitted to hospital to continue their recovery.
Keeping this in mind, Travel Insurance is certainly cheap when compared to the cost of local medical treatment and getting you back home if you run into strife overseas. Medical and repatriation cover are two of the key benefits, with no maximum dollar limit on claims payable.
In the troubling global climate, its more important than ever for Aussies to insure themselves when travelling. Having quality travel insurance in your pocket when you go overseas is not just important, it's paramount, and will leave you to worry about more important things like what souvenirs to buy!
For information on travel risks and to allow you to be completely prepared, we recommend you research institutional sites such as Smart Traveller as well as checking Trip Advisor where you can read comments from people who have already been to your chosen destination.
Happy travelling!