Most of us have had to visit a hospital at some time because of either an accident or illness. It is neither a pleasant, nor an inexpensive outing, even when you belong to a medical aid scheme. Take a minute to imagine this same unpleasant outing happening far from home, in a country with an unfamiliar culture, language and healthcare system.

This is a dilemma which may happen to South Africans stranded outside the borders of the country during lockdown while they are waiting for the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation to finalise their repatriation.

A trip to a hospital or doctor abroad may result in significant costs, therefore it is important to know how healthcare works in various countries. Here is a guide to healthcare options in several countries where South Africans are currently trapped, but which also are popular travel destinations in “normal” times, in order to give you peace of mind that your adventure or forced sojourn abroad will run smoothly.

Healthcare in Australia

The Australian public healthcare system is called Medicare and Australian hospitals provide world-class medical facilities at standard tariffs. The Australian government has reciprocal health agreements with a number of countries that offer travellers the opportunity to receive subsidised healthcare and services. However, bear in mind that before you depart, you should verify whether you will be eligible for such cover.

When travelling to Australia, you do not need to get special vaccinations, unless you will stay overnight or longer in a country where yellow fever is prevalent within six days before arriving in Australia.

Prescribed medication that you take along on your trip to Australia is subject to control and have to be declared upon your arrival. Therefore ensure that you have your prescription and/or a letter from your doctor with you to prove that the medication is essential.

The Australian emergency number is 000. The operator will put you in contact with the police, ambulance or fire brigade.

Healthcare in New Zealand

Healthcare for tourists covers injuries sustained during an accident. Everyone in New Zealand, including travellers, is covered for medical care by means of the ACC programme. When you visit a doctor or hospital for the treatment of an injury, you will be asked to fill out a form in order that the ACC programme may reimburse you for the costs incurred. Interpreting services for tourists who do not speak English are available at various hospitals in New Zealand and you are welcome to ask a nurse for an interpreter.

New Zealand has no prerequisites for vaccinations before visiting the country, but it is recommended that you should be covered for chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, whooping cough, polio, rubella, seasonal flu, tetanus and tuberculosis.

In New Zealand, the emergency number to call for police, ambulance or fire services is 111. You will be able to call this number for free from any cellular phone.

Healthcare in the Netherlands

When you visit the Netherlands, you will not be covered by Dutch health insurance and you will have to pay the costs of a visit to a doctor or hospital yourself.

In an emergency, you will be able to call the emergency number 112 for free. The call centre will put you in contact with the police, ambulance or fire services.

In the Netherlands you have the option to use the Amsterdam Tourist Doctors. Treatment provided by them will be covered by most travel and medical insurance schemes worldwide. This option is available to anyone who does not have Dutch medical insurance.

Healthcare in Canada

When travelling to Canada, you will be required to have travel insurance and medical insurance in your country of origin, which will help you to cover the costs if you should need medical care. The healthcare system in Canada is one of the best in the world, but comes with a hefty fee.

The Canadian emergency number is 911.

Healthcare in the United States of America (US)

It is important to obtain travel insurance before departing for the US, as the US does not cover the expenses of tourists requiring medical care. Just as in Canada, the healthcare system in the US is extremely expensive. Most of the healthcare services in the US are private, so if you take out travel insurance, make sure that it will cover the costs if you are treated by private doctors.

Tourists admitted to a private hospital’s casualty unit will be transferred to a public welfare hospital if staff at the private hospital find that the costs will not be covered by insurance.

It is important to bear in mind that your national medical insurance will not be valid in the US, so it is essential to take out travel insurance before visiting the US.

911 is the US’ emergency number. Remember that you will have to pay a fee when calling an ambulance. The bill will be sent to your insurer.

Healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK)

The UK does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with South Africa, so the cost of any treatment will have to be paid by you personally, unless you had taken out travel insurance.

Emergency treatment is free though. If you had been in an accident or need emergency treatment, you will receive the treatment for free, regardless of where you are, as long as the treatment is provided by a primary care facility or a general practitioner’s (GP’s) surgery, hospital emergency room (known as “Accident and Emergency” or “A&E”), casualty unit in a UK hospital, or a walk-in centre that provides services similar to those of an emergency room. However, this applies to an immediate emergency only. Once you are admitted to a hospital, you will have to cover the costs yourself.

Other free services include treatment for some infectious diseases, urgent advice for non-life-threatening illness via the National Health Service’s non-emergency medical advice telephone helpline (111), compulsory psychiatric treatment, family planning services excluding abortions and fertility treatments, HIV testing and temporary treatment on an emergency basis.

The UK’s emergency number is 999 or 112 ‒ 999 is the national emergency number and 112 the pan-European number. You can call either in case of any emergency.