WorldWide Drilling Resource

Overseas Travel Management by Ashish Rathi National Sales Manager, Shakti Pumps USA LLC Health Checkups e Carry some regular medicines with you for cold, flu, headache, diarrhea, etc. e Make sure any urgent medical or dental treatment is completed before you travel. e If you have any long-term health problems, check with your doctor to see whether traveling will make them worse, and remember to take enough medicine with you. e Make sure any medication you’re taking is legal in the country you’re visiting. e Carry a record of your blood group/type and any other important medical information (e.g. allergies). e You can prevent most diseases you’re likely to come across by getting vaccinations in your home country. But you need to be careful once you’ve arrived, too - especially to avoid getting malaria. Malaria is a major health problem in developing countries with tropical and subtropical climates. It affects around 300 million people a year and is one of the world’s most significant causes of death. There is no vaccination and no cure. Protection comes in two forms - preventing the mosqui- toes’ biting by using insect repellents and mosquito nets, and killing the parasite by taking antimalarial drugs. Treat any flu-like symptoms or fever within three months of your return as suspicious, and ask your doctor about them. e If you’re ill abroad, it’s important to tell someone locally about it, even if it doesn’t seem too serious. If your condition suddenly gets worse, you may be unable to find help. e If you take drugs you bought locally, make sure you double check the translation of usage and dosage instructions. e If you’re taking prescription drugs with you, make sure you have enough for your trip and take a note signed by your doctor saying what they’re for - they may not be available or recognized locally. e If you’re visiting somewhere with poor medical care standards, it’s a good idea to take a medical kit with basic sterile equipment (syringes, sutures, and dressings). e If you wear glasses or contact lenses, consider taking spare pairs, packed separately. More on clothing and luggage next time. Ashish Ashish Rathi may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com 68 DECEMBER 2017 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®