BASIC MEDICAL KIT FOR TRAVEL
Medical kit and toilet items
Sufficient medical supplies should be carried to meet all foreseeable needs for the duration of the trip. A medical kit should be carried for all destinations where there may be significant health risks, particularly those in developing countries, and/or where the local availability of specific medications is not certain. This kit will include basic medicines to treat common ailments, first-aid articles, and any special medical items that may be needed by the individual traveller.
Certain categories of prescription medicine should be carried together with a medical attestation, signed by a physician, certifying that the traveller requires the medication for personal use. Some countries require not only a physician but also the national health administration to sign this certificate.
All medicines should be carried in the hand luggage to minimize any risk of loss during the journey. A duplicate supply carried in the checked luggage is a safety precaution in case of loss or theft.
Toilet items should also be carried in sufficient quantity for the entire visit unless their availability at the travel destination is assured. These will include items for dental care, eye care including contact lenses, skin care and personal hygiene.
Contents of a basic medical kit
First-aid items:
- adhesive tape
- antiseptic wound cleanser
- bandages
- emollient eye drops
- insect repellent
- insect bite treatment
- nasal decongestant
- oral rehydration salts
- scissors and safety pins
- simple analgesic (e.g. paracetamol)
- sterile dressing
- clinical thermometer.
Additional items according to destination and individual needs:
- antidiarrhoeal medication
- antifungal powder
- antimalarial medication
- condoms
- medication for any pre-existing medical condition
- sedatives
- sterile syringes and needles
- water disinfectant