We are delighted to have been short listed for the 2nd year running for the COVER Excellence Awards in the best “international private medical insurance provider 2012” category (iPMI). Continue reading ALC Health short listed for the 2nd year in a row for the International Private Medical Insurance Provider of the Year at COVER Excellence Awards 2012 →

ADVO Group interviews Andrew Apps, Director, ALC Health

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported a sharp increase in the number of cholera cases in the armed conflict area of North Kivu. According to the report, 368 new cases were reported from epidemiological week 24 (11-17 June) to epidemiological week 26 (25 June-1 July). The most affected areas include Birambizo, Goma, Karisimbi, Kiroshe, Mutwanga, Mweso and Rwanguba.

There is concern that the security situation may increase difficulty in accessing the health-care facilities and could increase the number of severe and fatal cases. The current armed conflict in North Kivu also poses a risk of international spread of the disease to neighbouring countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda. Continue reading Cholera outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) →

Traveling for pleasure is almost always about adventure; visiting a new place is about exploring something unknown and discovering new cultures. But some vacations are more adventurous than others, and can be downright dangerous writes John Miller for the healthytravelblog.com Continue reading The Most Dangerous Game: Traveling To These Places →

A group of 36 intrepid explorers embarked on a climb to reach the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales (UK) in aid of the Surrey Air Ambulance Trust on 14th July with everyone managing to complete the 7 hour plus adventure without injury aside from a few sore legs and one or two blisters. Raising over £13,500 for this vital voluntary emergency air service will enable the Trust to continue it valuable work by responding swiftly to 999 calls. Continue reading ALC Health’s Andrew Apps climbs to the Summit of Snowdon to raise funds for Surrey Air Ambulance Trust →

As part of the continuing investigations into the undiagnosed illness, the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia is finalizing the review of all suspected hospitalised cases. This final review added an additional two cases between April to 5 July 2012, making the total number of children affected to be 59. Of these, 52 have died. Continue reading Undiagnosed illness in Cambodia →

The investigation into the illnesses and deaths in Cambodia, which mainly affected very young children, concluded that a severe form of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) was the cause in the majority of cases reported to the Ministry of Health. Continue reading Severe complications of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by EV-71 in Cambodia – conclusion of the joint investigation →

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia has notified WHO of an outbreak of an undiagnosed illness which has affected 62 children, of which 61 have died since April 2012. Continue reading Undiagnosed illness in Cambodia →

When 31 year old British man, Matthew Taylor, moved to Bali to teach English he didn’t suspect his family would have to raise nearly £200,000 to fly him home after an accident. Matthew suffered a

This story and several others like itraise the question of emergency medical evacuation coverage. This is an additional extra on top of the usual health insurance coverage. For expatriates moving to remote areas or those with poor healthcare systems, it is certainly something to consider.serious head injury while riding a motorbike on the Indonesian island. With no health insurance, his parents were forced to find £200,000 to cover his medical expenses and fly him back to the UK for continuing treatment writes Bill Cariker at expathealth.org. Continue reading Expat medical evacuation, it could be a matter of life or death →

For many people jetlag is more than just an inconvenience. It can be particularly disruptive for business travellers, diplomats and sportsmen, who must be physically or mentally fit on arrival.

Prevention

Pre-flight

• Select flight schedules to minimise sleep deprivation
• Plan a stopover. Arrive at your destination in the late afternoon or early evening
• Avoid last-minute hectic activities before long flights
• Start eating and sleeping according to your destination schedule several days before the trip Continue reading Jetlag and how to reduce the inconvenience →