3,000km to save life

Belavia plane covered 3,000km to transport a severely injured Belarusian from Egypt home – as informed by the Healthcare Ministry

Stunning coral reefs, sparkling transparency of the Red Sea and exotic food seem to be part of an ideal vacation, with no possibility for an emergency. Sadly, accidents happen from time to time and they can affect not simply health but life.

A Belarusian was holidaying in Egypt in July when an accident happened to him and the man found himself on the verge of life and death. To save him, Egyptian doctors performed a complex operation but, as soon as the patient’s status stabilised, the man was taken to Minsk. The staff of the Republican Medical Response Centre at Belarus’ Healthcare Ministry and the Belavia airline helped transport the patient home. On board, he was also accompanied by doctors of the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre of Traumatology and Orthopaedics who monitored his condition during the flight.

“In our modern world, emergency situations can happen anywhere and at any time. When this happens, professional and prompt medical care is especially important to increase the probability of a successful outcome,” Dmitry Alkhovik, the Head Doctor of the Republican Medical Response Centre, comments. “As soon as the emergency patients’ status stabilises, we try to transport them to Belarus for further treatment. Of course, it is good that the man insured his life before going abroad: the insurance company covered all costs related to assistance and transportation. Unfortunately, vacationers often neglect this possibility. The previous case of such an emergency air transportation of a Belarusian citizen was organised from Vietnam.”

True, insurance cover – which costs about $3-5 – can help. A travel agency head, Irina Bezruchko, adds that, in most cases, it’s enough to have a standard package. “Operators offer different packages, but the minimum cover makes 30,000 Euros. Tourists use insurance cover more often than it may seem – especially in Egypt and Turkey where intestinal infections, fever and sore throat are more common. The company then pays for the doctor's call, tests, treatment, and sometimes even medications. However, I recommended extended trip travel insurance to tourists who prefer surfing and diving.”