U.S. Embassy especially Extends Help to Americans in Remote Areas

In all of my travels, I couldn't forget the most frightening medical emergency I encountered in Afghanistan when a young Frenchwoman suddenly suffered from an appendicitis attack. Her agony began on a stranded bus in the middle of an empty desert. Remote areas which Americans love to go to sometimes cannot provide the adequate medical care they need when they experience terrible accidents or sicknesses.

A lot of Afghans were in the bus that broke down in the middle of nowhere just a few hours out of Kandahar. The confused Frenchwoman's companion who was a fellow westerner approached me worriedly. She led me in the back seat where her friend stretched out because of a terrible pain in the stomach. To make her friend feel a little better under the scorching weather, they placed a wet handkerchief on her forehead.

After a few hours, some passengers didn't have second thoughts in hopping on a truck that passed even though it wasn't going near Kabul. A European car which I was able to flag down came on time when the Frenchwoman was in so much agony. In the car, two good Swiss souls agreed to take the women to Kabul. After some time, another bus came which I and the remaining Afghan passengers were able to get a ride. I was visited by the Frenchwoman's friend the next day and she thanked me. An immediate appendectomy was performed on her friend after she and the Swiss couple called the French Embassy in Kabul to ask for help. The woman with appendicitis was fine but still was shocked by the close call.

In 60 foreign countries, the Maryland based association for safe international road travel can provide travelers with hazardous road conditions. The hazards of driving at night and unusual driving practices as well as livestock on the road and accident prone areas are some of the things to be reported about depending on the country. The lack of safety standards is the reason why car and bus rentals are chancier.

The death of a 25 year old Bethesda medical student who was killed in a bus accident in Turkey inspired the buildup of the association. The most perilous roads based on accident statistics by a non-profit organization are the countries Egypt, Kenya, South Korea, Turkey and Morocco. India does not provide statistics but might be on the list. In every country's consular information sheets, the US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has included road hazard information for the association has urged them quite well. Considering having a health insurance and a medical evacuation policy would be of a good thing. It is a good thing that the US Embassy can help you find a medical care but still, you will be responsible for your own expenses if ever you get sick or injured. Evacuating by air can cost you a fortune if you are to be transferred from a remote place to an emergency hospital. Before going abroad, find out what medical services your health insurance will cover, warns the State Department, and carry both an insurance policy identity card as proof of your insurance and a claim form.

Treatment outside United States is not covered by the Social Security Medicare program for senior citizens but the payment can be obtained by the offer of the American Association of Retired Persons through a Medicare supplement plan. Medical evacuation insurance by a number of firms can be purchased on per trip or annual basis. Insurance can be bought directly from the company and also can be bought by travel agents.

If ever the worst happens, call the nearest US Embassy. Medical facilities and a list of local doctors are the two things which the embassy could provide you with. Americans should get the best medical care according to the embassy personnel. It is those most Americans who dare to visit remote places are the ones benefiting this. Victims who have met accidents may be visited by officials to ensure that the treatment a victim receives is sufficient, that victim's friends or relatives are contacted and that the victim is transferred in a better facility in a foreign hospital.

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