Across the African continent we continue to see new investment and opportunities for growth. However, each different country presents its own unique set of challenges. With varying levels of healthcare across the continent and illnesses such as Malaria, HIV and AIDS, private healthcare and evacuation capabilities remain a major consideration for international and local employers in the various regions.

Medical Evacuation
Medcial evacuation is an important benefit to consider across the various regions. As for more serious medical conditions, some healthcare facilities may be unable to offer the necessary level of expertise required to provide appropriate or adequate medical treatment. In such situations, evacuation and repatriation services are essential to ensure patients can be transported to the nearest or most appropriate centre of medical excellence for their condition. The majority of evacuations in Sub-Saharan Africa will be directed to South Africa where there are excellent facilities providing treatment across all specialities.

For non- life threatening conditions where adequate medical treatment is not locally available, the insurance provider may opt for repatriation of the member to his/her home country to access treatment.

Many of the best facilities available across the region, especially in large cities can be expensive. Therefore medical insurance is considered an essential requirement for employers and employees alike. Medical facilities in rural areas can be basic and in remote areas, air evacuation is sometimes the only option for medical emergencies. Access to medications is limited in regions of Africa thus a fully comprehensive medical insurance package that includes emergency evacuation should be considered a 'must have' before travelling to ensure peace of mind in case of a medical emergency.

A comprehensive international private medical insurance package will not only evacuate the individual requiring medical attention but in some instances their entire family allowing complete peace of mind for all concerned.

Tropical Diseases
Other considerations when entering this region are the risk of tropical diseases and the necessary precautions required to ensure a safe journey within the country.

Tropical diseases are a consideration for any individual travelling to Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides information on the risks in individual countries and necessary vaccination requirements. Some vaccinations such as yellow fever are a requirement in order to gain entry to specific countries such as South Africa. Precautions should be taken to ensure individuals are inoculated for the most common diseases including Hepatitis B, Diphtheria and Typhoid. If you are travelling in Sub-Saharan Africa individuals should take anti-malaria prophylactics as a precautionary measure. Before travelling to Africa, advice provided by bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office should be followed to minimise risk.

International Private Medical Insurance
In recent months, media attention has focussed on political unrest in Africa. Other than avoiding travelling to areas of high risk, there is often nothing that an individual can do to prevent being caught up in such incidents. However, IPMI plans are developing to provide support and peace of mind should such a situation arise.

Some IPMI providers have entred into partnerships with security experts in order to provide 24/7 security services and solutions to ensure that insured persons are prepared for the unexpected. These services are essential for those travelling to countries where there is a risk of political instability.

Partnerships with security experts not only offer an increased level of protection for an insured person when they unexpectedly find themselves at risk in a violent situation, they can also provide insured persons with preventative and proactive advice to minimise their exposure to such situations. The insured persons can be provided with up to date security  information and advice on a particular country either online or via a security  helpline as well as on the ground support  - including security evacuation if required.

Of course, the occurance of such incidents remains rare. But international health insurance countinues to evolve in order to offer peace of mind and protection, as well as to provide access to professional private medical and assistance services wherever and whenever they are needed.

Wellness
As well as cover for medical emergencies and curative treatment many international  private medical insurers provide a "wellness benefit" that pays for treatments which help to maintain clients health, for example cancer screening, cardiovascular or neurological examinations, well child tests, vital signs tests or vaccinations.

In addition to the obvious example of wellness, many plans include benefits that can contribute to day to day wellbeing, either by paying for treatment that helps to maintain a certain level of health or by encouraging individuals to seek treatment for non-emergency medical condtions. The benefits on offer aim to provide peace of mind and protection for individuals in unfamiliar surroundings.

International workers
It is well-known fact that there are a number of emerging markets in the African regions centring around those with a wealth of natural resources. Global companies in the oil and gas, mining, shipping, construction and telecommunication industries send international staff on assignment across the region in order to develop new opportunities. Successful assignments to Africa result in further investment and development of new infrastructure in these countries. Opportunities are vast for companies willing to invest in these fast-growing industries and are actively encourages by many of the local governments within the region.

With the number of companies investing in these markets continually growing and with local healthcare solutions often remaining limited there is continuing and rising demand for employers to provide comprehensive international private medical insurance to their employees, and the benefits and peace of mind that such products have to offer to their international assignees.