TRAVEL PHARMACY, HEALTH AND COVID 19

The contents of your first aid kit could look like this:

• Bandages, scissors, tweezers, wound plasters, gauze bandages, elastic bandages, sterile compresses, leucoplast, cotton wool and paper handkerchiefs, moist cloths, wound disinfectants.
• Disinfectant
• Clinical thermometer (plastic)
• Remedy for motion sickness (Vertirosan B6, Travel-Gum)
• Antidiarrheal remedies
• Painkiller
• Fever-reducing agent (Mexalen, Novalgin, Aspirin, Nureflex)
• Antiitching preparation for insect bites and sunburn (Fenistil gel)
• Sunscreen with a correspondingly high sun protection factor(also protection against skin cancer)
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Insect repellent, spray or ointments (Antibrumm forte red, Autan)

• Remedies for stomach problems
• Laxatives (e.g. lactulose)
• Medicines for colds (special expectorant juice for children, nose drops, ointment for rubbing the chest, e.g. Baby Luv, Vicks)
• When traveling to the tropics: possibly a mosquito net and anti-malarial medication and water disinfection products
• Ear plugswound disinfection
• Circulation drops (Ergont, Effortil)
• Condoms
• Replacement glasses
• Throat lozenges for pain
• Sports gel
• Wound ointment
• Electrolyte preparation to compensate for fluid and salt loss during diarrhea
• Anti-vomiting remedies
• Eye drop
• Ear drops (normison drip, for example after diving
• Nasal spray
• Ointment for fungal infections in the diaper area
• Moisturizer

Extra natural and important: sunglasses, sun hat

Please do not forget your own medicine that you must take and that has been prescribed for you by your doctor.
Heart drops, antihypertensives and the like.

Please remember that there is a lot in Madagascar, but not everything.
Of course, our listed travel first-aid kit does not claim to be complete.

Health and COVID 19
The sanitary and hygienic conditions do not meet European standards. Especially in the interior of the country, hospitals only have outdated equipment and the supply of medication is poor.

There will almost certainly be language barriers as well.There is no social security agreement with Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It is recommended that you take out additional insurance in the event of illness and medical transport. This particularly applies to medical transport flights, which are offered by several companies.
Careful hygiene measures for food and drinking water should be strictly observed. Water should generally either be boiled or purchased in bottles before use for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes. Milk is not pasteurized outside urban areas and it would be advisable to boil it. Avoid dairy products made from uncooked milk.
Only eat meat and fish dishes well cooked and served hot. Avoid raw salads and mayonnaise. Cook vegetables and peel fruit.

It is strongly recommended that you take a first-aid kit with you that not only contains regularly needed medications, but also medications for common travel illnesses.
Vaccinations:
According to the Health and Immigration Services, no specific vaccination is required in Madagascar. Standard vaccinations such as hepatitis, tetanus, yellow fever etc. should normally be available anyway. Attention! This vaccination is required when entering from a yellow fever area. Then the vaccination must have been done 10 days before departure.

Hospitals and healthcare in Madagascar are spread throughout the country. However, the services are of course different compared to western countries. Private healthcare is also possible.

The number of pharmacies is limited, so you should get your personal medication at home and take enough with you. Especially if you are traveling with children.
There is no emergency service on the island, although a private ambulance is available. Malaria is a low risk in the eastern part of the region in Madagascar, but you can protect yourself against it with prophylaxis.
Please contact your doctor or health department for information.
COVID 19 was also a big topic here; there are currently no restrictions regarding the virus. However, it is your own responsibility to find out about the current status before departure.
In principle, it is recommended to take out travel health insurance anyway, which can solve any problems. Many things are also covered with a credit card. You can get information from your bank.
Please also find out about current regulations on the government website beforehand. For Austria here: Entry Requirements