I would encourage anyone that travels internationally to join.

If is free.

The biggest benefit is a book of Western trained, English speaking physicians with a fixed fee schedule for office visits.


http://www.iamat.org/



IAMAT's History

Over forty years ago, Dr. Vincenzo Marcolongo founded the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT). The incident that inspired Dr. Marcolongo to create IAMAT occurred in Italy when a Canadian woman touring Europe was referred to him by a non-English-speaking physician. She was suffering from general weakness and a high temperature. Fortunately, having interned in Canada and being familiar with the English language, Dr. Marcolongo discovered the cause of her illness - a few weeks earlier she had been prescribed an aspirin-like drug, at that time commonly dispensed in Europe as a painkiller. While it is harmless to Latins, the medication may destroy the white blood cells of those of Anglo-Saxon descent. An intensive treatment program, including blood transfusions, stabilized her condition and the patient fully recovered.

Had Dr. Marcolongo not trained in North America, his prescription would have been identical to that of the physician who originally treated the patient. In an era of increasing international travel, he felt there must be thousands of travellers facing similar situations. To this end, he contacted hundreds of English-speaking doctors of all nationalities who were trained according to western medical standards, and coordinated their services into IAMAT.

From the outset, IAMAT's goal was to coordinate medical services worldwide for travellers and to prepare them for their journey. Dr. Marcolongo felt that this information should be available at no cost to travellers. We are proud that the voluntary support from our members allows us to continue with our research and distribution of information in the spirit of generosity and dedication of its Founder.