Health considerations – Part 2 Those Pesky Little Nuisances
I can’t find the medication that I take.
This is a real nuisance to those that regularly take medications, only to find that when they need a re-script the medication is not available here or out of stock. Make sure that you can get what you need before you run out. Often the medication IS available but under a different name. As long as the active ingredients are the same it’s fine.Most pharmacies will not stock very expensive medications (such as some asthma inhalers and high end antibiotics) however they will be happy to order them in for you.
If you are a diabetic the insulin menu here is very small compared to most insulins available overseas. Make sure you bring ample supplies, and that you have good refrigeration facilities. If you use a finger prick machine to test your glucose you might also want to check that the strips are available here also.
If you are considering ordering medications on line and having them sent via mail, think again. The post office will probably retort the package to the Department of Health and then you could be hours or days trying to get them released.
According to local tabloids there may be some concerns as to whether medications sold here are “fakes”. Even reputable brands have had their packaging copied and reproduced perfectly. (Let’s face it they can do it with perfumes so why not drugs?). This is huge concern and difficult to pass comment on as I would have no idea how to pick a fake over the real deal, but if you are taking medications that are marketed locally, and they don’t seem to be having to be desired effect, they may not be genuine.
A word on allergies
By allergies I mean the mega-allergy kind! This is the kind of allergy that will cause life threatening reactions such as lumpy red welts and rashes all over the body. Swelling of the airways is an issue and it can become a life threatening situation. Most people who have these kinds of allergies are already aware of this and carry a pre-dosed adrenaline injector called an “Epipen”, and guess what….we can’t get them here. Make sure that you bring yours with you from overseas.
What blood group are you?
And why does it matter anyway? Because the Caucasian (white) population averages about a 15 -25 % negative blood group type. The Asian population averages less than 3%. So if you are a bleeding Caucasian (with a negative blood type), in an Asian country, you are in trouble. Having said that, it never ceases to amaze me how many Westerners I interview that do not have a clue what their own blood type is. If you do not know your own blood group you are being ignorant. (You can find out your own blood type by a simple / cheap blood test with me or directly at any laboratory).
If you do know that you are Rhesus negative, and you do not register with someone (Red Cross 227224, myself at Community Health Care - text message to 08123660000, and/or your consulate), AND you do not have some sort of health or travel insurance then you are being downright irresponsible!
If you do register yourself as an emergency donor, remember that you have to be prepared to be called at awkward hours, and give up a bit of your time. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, you can be assured that a genuine emergency is at hand. And don’t forget, one day you might be on the receiving end of someone else’s kind deed. (For full info see Bali Advertiser website “Paradise in Sickness and in Health”).
Intestinal parasites….Worms!
Yes you will get ‘em! You only need to take a walk on the beach to see the semi-wild dogs roaming free (not one of them has a doggies scoop either!) to see that even sitting in the sand could give you a dose of the wrigglers. Fortunately treatments are readily available “over the counter” at most pharmacies and supermarkets. Wherever worm infestation is suspected in a family member (or pet), it is wise to treat all other household members. As infestation is so often asymptomatic I usually recommend that worming treatments are used routinely at 3 - 6 monthly intervals for all family members, including house staff. (For full info see Bali Advertiser website “Paradise in Sickness and in Health”).
Kim Patra is a qualified registered nurse and midwife who has been living and working in Bali for almost 20 years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com or Hp. 081 2366 0000.
