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Take the necessary healthcare measures when travelling abroad

As a medical practitioner, I have treated many travellers when they fall sick while holidaying in Singapore. The Republic is a regional medical hub, and many travellers who fall ill while holidaying in South-east Asia are also transferred to Singapore for stabilisation and medical treatment.

As a medical practitioner, I have treated many travellers when they fall sick while holidaying in Singapore. The Republic is a regional medical hub, and many travellers who fall ill while holidaying in South-east Asia are also transferred to Singapore for stabilisation and medical treatment.

From my experience, there are several things Singaporeans should be aware of while travelling overseas.

To begin with, when we are overseas, we are not citizens of that country, so do not expect to get any healthcare subsidies. We would be paying private medical rates, which can be expensive.

Also, medical emergencies occur unexpectedly. I have treated many travellers with appendicitis, gall bladder infections, gastroenteritis and so on. These conditions occur suddenly and can progress quickly if medical care is not instituted promptly.

In addition, prompt repatriation to Singapore can be complicated by the fact that many commercial airlines will not fly passengers who are sick and unstable. Medical evacuation by chartered specialised medical aeroplane is expensive, and I have come across fees of up to S$100,000 for transferring complex cases home.

I strongly advise fellow Singaporeans to ensure they are insured before travelling overseas. In particular, I wish to highlight some of the fine print about travel insurance that we should be aware of. First, check if the travel insurance covers pre-existing illnesses, as complications from pre-existing illnesses may not be covered. For instance, if a patient with a history of hypertension suffers a stroke while overseas, his insurer may dispute his claims, as stroke is a well-known complication of hypertension.

Second, check if the insurer can settle the payment with the overseas hospital directly. Some insurers only provide reimbursement for medical bills after the insured returns to Singapore. But overseas medical bills can sometimes come up to tens of thousands of dollars. It would be easier for the travellers if the insurer could issue letters of guarantee to overseas healthcare providers so the insurers can settle bills directly with them.

Finally, ensure that there is a high limit on medical evacuation costs. Falling sick overseas can be unexpected, and we should be well-prepared before stepping out of Singapore.

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