Most tourists are frightened of a medical emergency occurring while they are traveling far from home. The good news is the frequency of tourists requiring medical care while traveling is low:
| Tourists requiring medical treatment |
Outpatient treatment - 1 per 1,000 trips
Hospital admission – 1 per 2,000 trips
Medical evacuation – 1 per 4,000 trips
l�Hi�Based on Israel's average tourism rate of 3.5 million visitors per year, this translates to roughly 3,500 outpatient visits, 1,750 hospital admissions, and 875 medical evacuations annually.
So, the chances are, when you visiting Israel, you will be just fine.
HOWEVER……
What happens if a medical emergency happens to me or a family member?
Recently, EMA Care was consulted when a tourist had a stroke in Israel. Unfortunately, we have much experience dealing with unanticipated medical emergencies including strokes occurring while visiting Israel. Over Pesach, we heard of and were involved with the care of three tourists having strokes! After much hospital confusion (link to blog), his family needed an objective prospective on what to do next for their incapacitated grandfather, far from home. His US medical travel insurance (link) will reimburse the extensive bill, but in the meantime the family did need to outlay the money for hospitalization in Israel. Air travel can increase the risk of developing blood clots in the veins of the legs, which can then enter the bloodstream and block an artery in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism. In some cases, the blood clot to enter the arteries of other vital organs including the brain, causing a stroke.
Here are important ways to prepare for a trip to Israel:
• See your doctor before you fly – make sure you are in good shape for the kind of trip you are planning
• Purchase and wear compression socks – these socks can significantly reduce your risk for developing blood clots
• Check your medical insurance – if it does not include sufficient medical coverage while abroad, purchase supplemental insurance from an independent supplier
• No matter what, travel insurance (link) based in Israel is inexpensive and worthwhile to get.
• Know the emergency medical service # - 101
• Carry your health information with you – allergies, medication list, chronic health issues, any information you think may be important in case of a medical emergency. Remember that any doctor who sees you will not know a thing about your medical history. This document should fill in the gaps.
• Keep EMA Care's contact handy! If you need any medical assistance while in Israel call 052 639 8444
EMA Care wishes you a wonderful, healthy stay in Israel.