Company Medical Policy for Expatriates in Third World Countries

Abstract

It is the responsibility of the company medical director to develop a medical policy to cover all aspects of health when employees and families are transferred to a Third World Country. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary suffering with possible tragic consequences. Prior consultation with professional colleagues knowledgeable of the particular area is useful. Policy should be focused on the best available facility in the area, which will usually be located in the capital city of that particular country. When visiting the country, the medical director should assess six key factors - profession, equipment, construction, administration, logistics and epidemiology - “PECALE”.