Expatriate Insurance Africa

McKinley International works with individuals and organizations that need to provide medical insurance in Africa for expatriate employees in Africa, travelers to Africa, and local nationals of Africa. Please contact us for a free insurance and general international risk management consultation that will design a strategy based on your exact international exposures (where people are traveling and for how long.) Did we mention this is a free service, something the international consultants will charge you over $5,000 to do.

Whether you are working full time in Cairo or traveling for two weeks to Johannesburg, anyone traveling to Africa needs the right international medical insurance in Africa. In addition to the proper expatriate health insurance for Africa here is a list of useful information for anyone working or traveling to Africa.

1. Medical evacuation insurance (lifeflight) is extremely important in Africa. In most cases, nearest appropriate facility may be over a thousand miles away. Lifeflight in Africa can easily eclipse $50,000.
2. An international medical insurance plan is very important for foreign nationals in Africa. You need a program that works in the host country, regionally, and in the home country for return visits.

Expatriates in Africa, Vaccinations and Immunizations will be a full time job before you go:

When it comes to health safety for expatriates in Africa you don’t want to mess around. It is recommended that clients get all the recommended inoculations, which vary by country, but often include, M. Meningitis, typhoid, polio, tetanus, and yellow fever.

Also recommend anti-malaria in almost every location. We even had our kids (ages 4 and 5) get all they could. I’ve had malaria several times and believe me you don’t want to get it. The shots hurt your arm and your pocket book but give you peace of mind and protection while on safari in Africa.

The most misinformation that I encounter about an infectious disease is about malaria. Travelers who take an anti-malarial medication often feel more secure than they should about not catching it. They should still cover up bare arms and legs at dusk, use repellent, and sleep under a net as we all do who live in Africa. No meds are 100 % effective. It takes just one infected mosquito.

Common childhood vaccines include Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio. Check with your family doctor to make sure all these vaccines are up to date. Booster shots may be necessary for tetanus, measles and diphtheria. Get these vaccines updated before traveling to any African country.

Vaccinations for hepatitis A, rabies, typhoid and meningococcal meningitis are strongly recommended before entering any African country. These are vaccines that are not commonly given during childhood. The rabies vaccination is recommended for anyone who will be spending a great deal of time outdoors, especially those who will be in direct contact with bats, carnivores and other mammals. A typhoid vaccination is recommended for any person traveling to a rural village or small city in southern Africa, as exposure can come from food and water sources.

Regarding the Yellow Fever Vaccination for Expatriates moving to Africa; According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), persons traveling to South Africa from a country where yellow fever is present must show proof that they have been vaccinated for yellow fever. Travel to several countries in Africa may also require yellow fever vaccinations. Some African countries that require proof of yellow fever immunization include the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Angola, Tanzania and Ghana.

Expatriate Insurance Africa Needs Chart (1 to 10 with 10 being a critical need) Looks at the need for expatriate insurance vs. what can be obtained in the local market or what many not even be needed for an expatriate assignment in Africa.