First Aid Kit for Malawi.

[davidpbo]

A headteacher friend is going to a school they are linked with in Malawi. Could someone recommend a suitable First Aid kit , preferably with link and suggestions for any extras please.

I came up with these:
http://www.firstaid4travel.co.uk/shop/info_TRV0076.html
http://www.firstaid4travel.co.uk/shop/info_TRV0018.html

 

[pvb]

Might be an idea for him to ask his GP. I'd certainly suggest including sterile syringes as well.

 

[skip50]

My son (19yo) was in Malawi this summer, don't think he took much in the way of a First Aid Kit, he was with five others so maybe between them they had most things covered. However, he was vaccinated against everything under the sun and took malaria tablets.

So advice on vaccinations etc. ESSENTIAL, I would say.

Never thought about sterile syringes-good idea, as long as Customs don't think they are for other puposes, if you get my drift.

 

[vyv_cox]

UK government offers travel advice for all countries. I have found it very useful in the past when travelling to African countries. The one for Malawi is here. Check whether Yellow Fever immunisation is needed there. My company-issued first aid kit always contained clean syringes, never a problem with customs officials.

 

[davidpbo]

Vaccinations etc. been dealt with AFAIK.
It is just a sensible first aid kit for a stay of 10 days that probably ought to be given to the school on departure.

 

[pappaecho]

Need to check what antimalarials are effective. Start taking a week before leaving and continue for 6 weeks return. Might also consider gammaglobulin injection to give blanket immunity for couple of weeks and 6 months against hepatitis A ( jaundice).

Speak to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine regarding what to put in a first aid kit. Mine contained morphine, adrenaline, sulphaguarnidine etc, which probably to day would not be allowed

 

[Ariadne]

I think you can still get a travel pack which includes syringes, needles (of different gauges), various tubes, cannula needles, etc. So I 'd take one of those.

Whatever inoculations that are recommended by MASTA http://www.masta-travel-health.com/ used to be free, but they asked you to inform your GP of your needs and what jabs you have.

Get yourself an international vaccination certificate to record it all in - especially Yellow Fever if needed. You may not be allowed in or back if you can't prove you've had it!

 

[pvb]

Vaccinations etc. been dealt with AFAIK.
It is just a sensible first aid kit for a stay of 10 days that probably ought to be given to the school on departure.

Doesn't matter whether it's 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months. If you're taking needles you need to take syringes too. In many deprived areas, these things are routinely re-used, with terrifying consequences.

 

[Downsman]

I've got a kit with sterile needles etc: on board now, supplied by these people.
http://www.spservices.co.uk/
http://www.spservices.co.uk/images/products/pics/1320238943fa534.jpg

This kit or similar from their range will probably cover all you need..
Only connected as a satisfied customer.

 

[johnalison]

And keep out of the water. Bilharzia is nasty.

 

[William_H]

First aid kit

First aid kit is all very simple. Designed for short term help until aid can be reached.
What you need is medicines for further treatment possibly in absence of medical aid for a long period.
So definitely antibiotics possibly anti viral drugs maybe sutures and local anisthetic. good luck olewill

 

[Relax]

I spent 10 years next door in Tanzania.

Malaria must never be taken lightly - I have had it many times and believe me its not funny - especially if it "comes on" somewhere you can't get medical help. Prophylaxis should certainly be taken in the first instance and if there is any way to procuring a "cure" series of medication from your GP that would be good, otherwise this should be available locally - and may be better than the currently advocated medication in the UK - this is usually behind in terms of what is currently working. Even small clinics in Africa will be better equiped to positively diagnose malaria than the NHS - the African expats worst nightmare is getting a dose in the UK - and waiting for "tests" that can be done within 5 minutes by an experienced labtech. A drug called "Cotecxin"(sp?) which is made in China used to be available and was less toxic than many. Halfan was also good - but has effects on the heart and is now banned, after killing a few folk - including someone I knew.

Yellow fever will be required - even if the FO says its not. There has been a minor outbreak in Tanzania this year and all of the surrounding countries appear to be being tarred by the same brush. In May I was not allowed onto a plane to Zambia from South Africa without showing my cert - and this was one way! No, I can't figure that out either but there was no way onto the plane without it - and this was just boarding the bus to the plane. The FO website should not be relied on - it is usually out of date.

You should also have an adequate supply of sterile wipes, betadine spray etc for cuts, ticks and thorns - they can turn into tropical ulcers (yes, been there too....).

 

[Heckler]

I spent 10 years next door in Tanzania.

Malaria must never be taken lightly - I have had it many times and believe me its not funny - especially if it "comes on" somewhere you can't get medical help. Prophylaxis should certainly be taken in the first instance and if there is any way to procuring a "cure" series of medication from your GP that would be good, otherwise this should be available locally - and may be better than the currently advocated medication in the UK - this is usually behind in terms of what is currently working. Even small clinics in Africa will be better equiped to positively diagnose malaria than the NHS - the African expats worst nightmare is getting a dose in the UK - and waiting for "tests" that can be done within 5 minutes by an experienced labtech. A drug called "Cotecxin"(sp?) which is made in China used to be available and was less toxic than many. Halfan was also good - but has effects on the heart and is now banned, after killing a few folk - including someone I knew.

Yellow fever will be required - even if the FO says its not. There has been a minor outbreak in Tanzania this year and all of the surrounding countries appear to be being tarred by the same brush. In May I was not allowed onto a plane to Zambia from South Africa without showing my cert - and this was one way! No, I can't figure that out either but there was no way onto the plane without it - and this was just boarding the bus to the plane. The FO website should not be relied on - it is usually out of date.

You should also have an adequate supply of sterile wipes, betadine spray etc for cuts, ticks and thorns - they can turn into tropical ulcers (yes, been there too....).

Luanda, mid 80s, little entrance official found my cholera ticket was out of date, big smile, waves a rusty needle at me and then "offers" an option! verde! which translates as green, which is the colour of US dollars! he ended up with a crisp £20!
Stu

 

[davidpbo]

Thank you I will forward a link to this thread to our friend.

David

 

[whipper_snapper]

Malaria, hepatitis, yellow fever certificate, something for squits, broad spectrum antibiotics, ibuprofen. If any chance of contact with animals, rabies vaccination is important. But most importantly good medical insurance and clear instructions how to contact them in case of emergency.


In a lifetime of traveling to some deeply rural parts of Africa that is all I have ever used. I work for an organisation that has many people in extremely remote parts of Africa and Asia all the time. We have had our fair share of medical emergencies ranging from motor accidents, to heart attacks and broken limbs. But I have never heard of anyone making use of their own needles and syringes or complex first aid kits. The golden rule is always have a means of communicating with someone who can organise help.