Medical Kit for Travellers

If you are travelling to remote areas where access to medical care is limited we strongly advise you to carry a medical kit appropriate to the nature of your trip. Sterile medical kits containing syringes, needles, IV giving set, sutures and dressings are from most pharmacies. In addition we suggest that you also carry some of the following items.

DRESSINGS

1. Compeed or similar - an adhesive dressing to protect areas prone to blistering on the foot.

2. Non-stick dressings (perforated film and paraffin gauze) - for application to open wounds.

3. Elastic cling bandages - to secure dressings to wounds.

4. Elastic bandage - to dress sprains.

5. Triangular bandage - to use as arm sling.

6. Steri-Strips - adhesive skin closures.

7. Adhesive tape.

INSTRUMENTS

1. Scissors (Be aware of aircraft regulations that will not allow items such as these in carry-on baggage).

2. Fine Tweezers (Be aware of aircraft regulations that will not allow items such as these in carry-on baggage).

3. Sharp knife (Be aware of aircraft regulations that will not allow items such as these in carry-on baggage).

4. Safety pins (Be aware of aircraft regulations that will not allow items such as these in carry-on baggage).

A Swiss Army Knife is an ideal solution to items 1 to 3. Be aware of aircraft regulations that will not allow items such as these in carry-on baggage.

DENTAL

1. Oil of cloves

2. Temporary filling

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Space blanket

2. Sunscreen - minimum SPF15

3. Waterproof matches (Be aware of aircraft regulations that will not allow items such as these in carry-on baggage)

4. Pencil and paper

5. Water purification tablets (Iodine tablets or tincture)

6. Mosquito repellant

OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

When using these follow the instructions carefully on the packet, and be aware that Customs regulations require that drugs must be kept in their original packaging so they can easily be identified. (Suggested quantities are only a guide).

1. Decongestant - e.g. Sudafed tablets (12), or Otrivine nasal spray (1)

2. Antihistamine - Chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg (20), or Cetirizine 10mg (20)

3. Analgesia - Paracetamol or aspirin (also control fever) (30), Ibuprofen is also anti-inflammatory (good for sprains) (20)

4. Anti-diarrhoeal - Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg or Co-phenotrope (Lomotil) (both ant-motility / anti-spasmodic agents) (1 packet)

5. Antifungal cream - Clotrimazole 1% cream (1 tube)

6. Oral rehydration salts - e.g. Dioralyte (available as dissolving tablets) (1 packet)

7. Anti-helminth (worm) - Mebendazole 100mg (6)

8. Anti-malarials - see section lower down on malaria

9. Antiseptic cream - e.g. Povidone iodine (cream or dry spray)

10. Antacid tablets (1 packet)

11. Throat lozenges (1 packet)

PRESCRIPTION ONLY DRUGS

If you are planning a long stay in remote areas you may need to consider taking supplies of antibiotics with you. Travellers to high altitude may wish to consider the use of Acetazolamide (see the High Altitude page). You need to make an appointment with a doctor to discuss prescription only drugs, which will be issued as private prescriptions (which allows you to buy the items from a pharmacy).

Source: LSMP