It seems Greece’s financial crisis is set to continue as it struggles to make agreed bailout targets. To meet the financial benchmarks the government is preparing to make €11.6 billion cuts, with pensions and healthcare expected to be widely hit writes Bryony Ashcroft of expathealth.org

To make the cuts proposed by The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union and the European Central Bank, known as the Troika, the government is looking at capping state-funded healthcare coverage to only €1,500 per year. Currently Greece provides universal care for residents, a large portion of which is state-funded. A cap at €1,500 would put a huge strain on people which chronic conditions or those needing expensive cancer treatment. Continue reading Cap at €1,500 per person for healthcare costs in Greece →

People often associate international health insurance with emergencies and being airlifted to the nearest hospital. The reality is, most claims made through expat insurance are for everyday ailments reports Expat Health.org

The most common complaint is back problems. Back pain is extremely common, with four in five people being affected at some point in their lives. Carrying heavy suitcases, being on long-haul flights and even sleeping in an unfamiliar bed can bring on this type of pain. Continue reading Everyday ailments top list of international medical insurance claims →

In what could arguably be the greatest immunological breakthrough in decades, French drugmaker Sanofi SA announced that a vaccine against Dengue fever had shown clinical efficacy in recently completed trials.  Additional testing is necessary, but the vaccine could be available as early as 2015 reports the Healthytravelblog.com Continue reading Dengue Fever Vaccine – Cure Breakthrouch ? →

The Ministry of Health in Uganda has reported a cumulative number of 53 suspected cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever including 16 deaths. Of these, five cases have been laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe (this includes three fatal cases and two cases currently being treated in the isolation facility). Continue reading Uganda – 53 suspected cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever reported →

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 →