Health and Travel Concerns in Morocco

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This is indeed one of the most important issues about traveling to Morocco and Africa in general. Staying healthy on road is of extreme importance.

Morocco is pretty much disease free and doesn’t differ that much from all the southern Europe countries. Pharmacies and private clinics are well spread around the country, unless you travel to off the beaten tracks where small villages in the middle of the Atlas Mountains will for sure not help you out in terms of medical assistance. Moroccans though, will try their best to help you out anyway they can, either for emergency accommodation, food and transportation to the nearest medical treatment. Travelers planning to drive in the mountains and other remote areas may wish to carry a medical kit and a Moroccan phone card for emergencies. Moroccan phone cards can be easily bought in any “Teleboutique” and, if your cellphone is block to a specific phone company, its quite simple and cheap (around 4 Euros or 7 Euros) to unblock in Morocco. Just ask about it in any Internet Café or Teleboutique.

Two basic health concerns start at home, and prevention works fine: check out your dentist, get a pair of spare of contact lenses. Remember Morocco has dust, so contact lenses users should be advise to take care during wind season in the southern part of the country.

Travel Medical Kit

If you’re the type of person that always travels with a small medical purse, bring some Aspirins® that easily work as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, to reduce fever and as an anti-inflammatory medication; bring some diarrhea pills, a small 50ml alcohol bottle and cotton; bandages; Ben-u-ron® which is a Paracetamol and works as a painkiller. It can also lower a raised temperature and fever. As pain and fever can occur while traveling, no traveler should be without some paracetamol, particularly on a travel to Africa; also bring a good insect repellent specially handy and useful.

In all small towns in Morocco, pharmacies with all basic medical items are available, but, better if you consider to being some basic medical stuff. Also bring your own condoms and contraception pills as they might not be the same as you’re used back home.

Here’s a small list of things you should think off, this not only applies to Morocco, but, applies to every country in Africa, South America and Asia: Prevent illness by Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water; Drink only water from cans or boiled water; Avoid using ice or drinking untreated water; Wash and/or peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating.; Use uncontaminated water to wash all food that is to be eaten raw.; Avoid eating uncooked foods -; Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it; Avoid swimming in fresh water; Traffic accidents are the most common cause of injuries so be careful; Avoid traveling at night and use safety belts when available; To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot; Use latex condoms for protection against sexually transmitted diseases; Malaria prophylaxis is not recommended as risk is minimal.

Other items are also handy in case you consider traveling with your own medical kit: Antibiotics for more remote and extreme travelers; antidiarrheal drugs such as Loperamide; paracetamol or aspirin such as Tylenol; anti-inflamatory drugs such as Ibuprofen; antihistamines for hay fever and allergic reactions; antibacterial ointment such as Bactroban; bandages, gauze and adhesive.

Women travelers

Women travelers should remember that exhaustion and emotional stress caused by traveling and jet lag can cause and upset your menstrual activity. Also, if using oral contraceptives, mind that some antibiotics, diarrhea and vomiting can stop the pill effect from working, so a small pack of safety condoms is advised.

Vaccination recommendation

Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Typhoid fever - if staying in remote areas
Rabies - if risk for contact with animals
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.

Travel Insurance Morocco

World Nomads is specially designed for independent travelers. This travel insurance is focused on what is really important: medical & emergency evacuation, although it also covers other areas such as your baggage, cancellation costs, dental and liability depending on your country of residence.

Remember that in Morocco, doctors expect payment in cash, so remember to bring receipts back home. Any major problem you should contact your embassy.

This is a good insurance and can be easily bought in World Nomads website. One month travel insurance should cost around 50 Euros for most Euro zone countries, around £50 for UK citizens or about $90 US dollars. Also there’s the choice of cover high-value items such as iPods, mobile phone, backpack, digital cameras, etc.

Travel Insurance Morocco | www.worldnomads.com

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