February 2011 1 - Magic Wave

Flashback
This page is taken from Magic Wave March 2002. Written by Marlon Gerber.
The Right First Aid Kit
for your Travel to Bali
You should always bring a first aid kit when
you travel abroad. The specific contents
of the health kit are based on destination,
duration of travel, type of travel, and the
traveler’s pre-existing medical conditions. If
your destination is to Bali, this article might
help you to assemble your own health kit.
The purpose of a Travel First Aid Kit is twofold:
to allow the traveler to take care of
minor health problems as they occur and to
treat exacerbations of pre-existing medical
conditions.
• Bali Belly
26 _February 2011 http://www.facebook.com/magicwave http://www.magicwave.org
_February 2011 27
About Bali
• At most major tourist spots, especially
around Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur and Nusa
Dua, qualified medical centres are available.
For minor injuries which need suturing,
they have sterile suture sets. The practice of
re-used syringes is not a standard anymore.
Disposable syringes are always available.
• You do not need to bring your own suture
set or your own sterile syringes.
• At most major tourist spots, chemists are
available.
• You can keep your OTC medical supplies
to a minimum amount. However, if you have
a specific preference of a branded medicine,
you might consider bringing enough
supply for your travel, because it might
not be exactly the same brand as in your
country.
• Bali is a tropical island, expect the hot
sunlight.
• Sun protection is a necessity. Sunscreen
formulas are available in local chemists or
markets.
• Mosquitoes are everywhere. Dengue
fever is an endemic disease transmitted by
mosquitoes, but don’t worry about malaria.
No cases of malaria are reported in Bali.
• Use mosquito repellent. Also available in
local chemists and markets.
• You don’t need malaria prophylaxis for
your travel to Bali.
• Indonesia has a strict law for certain
drugs.
• Bring a certificate or statement from your
doctor for your regular medicines. Bring
the prescription and better to leave it in its
original container.
• The most common health problems that end
up in BIMC are diarrhea, fever, ear aches
and injuries.
Your Bali First Aid Kit
The first aid kit to take with you should
contain:
• Your prescription medicines in the containers
they came in.
• Antibiotic ointment, adhesive bandages,
and hydrocortisone cream for cuts and
scrapes.
• Medicines for common problems. You
should have supply for at least 1-2 days. If
you still have the problem after your supply
is out, you can get it from a near chemist or
see a doctor.
• Diarrhea and upset stomach.
• Coughs and colds.
• Allergies.
• Pain and fever.
• Medicine for motion sickness.
• Tools like scissors, tweezers, nail clippers,
or a pocket knife. A mirror also may be
helpful. But consider keeping them in a separate
bag for your flight. Most airlines won’t
allow sharp object in cabin baggage.
Tips
• Carry an extra day or two supplies of
your regular medications.
• For prescription drugs, notify your pharmacist
at least four days ahead of your
travel plan so he or she can make appropriate
arrangements for your unusual drug
purchase.
• Carry all prescription medicines in their
original, labeled containers. If you ask
ahead, your pharmacist can provide smaller
bottles with the appropriate labels so you
don’t have to stow large containers in your
carry-on luggage.
• Bring a copy of your prescriptions.
• Don’t forget to consult your doctor for your
travel plans.
Related articles:
• Dengue Fever
• Blocking the Sun
Source:
• American Academy of Family Physicians
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
BIMC First Aid Kit
This is an example of a kit you might
find helpful.
This kit includes:
• Iodine
• Sterile saline water
• Sterile gauze
• Bandage
• Adhesive tape and band-aid
• Balsam
• Cotton bud
• Scissor and tweezers
• Alcohol swab
• Triangular arm sling
• Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
• Aspirin
• Motion sickness medicine
• Anti-inflammatory gel