Bring along with you all that you need to:

• Continue your routine treatment far from home

• Treat simple wounds and infections

• Prevent certain infectious or parasitic diseases especially those transmitted by mosquitoes (Ex: Malaria)

• have a pleasant stay in Koume

Before traveling for the convention, it is advisable to:

• consult your dental surgeon ( particularly if you have chronic or recurrent dental problems)

• Consult with your family doctor in case you are suffering from a chronic disease (Diabetes, High blood pressure, thyroid problems, on treatment with antibiotics, pregnancy, etc.)

• Ensure that you have an updated International vaccination card with all the vaccines needed for authorized entry into Cameroon.

• Know your blood group or better still, have a blood group card.

• Subscribe for health insurance transfer if that is possible.

• you are advised to carry along a prescription from your doctor, spelling out the names of the medicines you are taking using the international pharmacological names, and where necessary, a medical attestation to show that you need to carry syringes and needles.

If you are traveling by air, place your medicines in your hand luggage (just in case you lose your luggage on transit). Also, keep a reserve in your suitcase to avoid any mishaps.

The Travel Kit at the pharmacy should comprise of:

1. Analgesic (against pain) and antipyretic (against fever): Paracetamol and Ibuprofen

2. Antidiahhroeal antisecretory agents: Loperamide, carbon, Parenterol (for children)

3. Rehydration salts, especially for children after an attack of diarrhea; ORS, Zinkid

4. Antiemetics if necessary, for travel sickness, or for vomiting – Metrochorpramide, promethazine, etc

5. Antihistamines ( Anti H1): Loratidine, cetirizine, desloratadine

6. Tropical antiallergics, in case of insect bites, or allergic reactions on the skin ( soventol gel, fenistil gel)

7. Antispasmodic, abdominal pain, (cramps, general discomfort) Spasfon tablets, Iberogast.

8. Laxative, in case of constipation: Milk of magnesia, Dulcolax (Bisacodyl), Duphalac,

9. Tropical Antifungals – Fungicide, Carnestine cream, etc

Protection against mosquitoes and other insects

1. Mosquito repellents

2. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets and products for treating your clothes

3. Anti-malarial prophylaxis ( for non-immunes) Malarone

• Cream for treating burns: bacitracin, silver sulphadiazine

• Healing balm ( for wounds): bacitracin, neomycin creams

• Sterile cotton and gauze; hand plasters

• A sterile dressing and adhesive sutures

• Local antiseptics – Dettol, savlon

• Normal saline (single dose)

• Sun-screen ( For maximum protection IP 50)

• Hand sanitizer gel or solution

• Non-breakable thermometer

• Products for disinfecting drinking water (consumption of mineral water is better) – Aqua

• clean tablets,

• water guard

• Disposable gloves

• Toilet-pot covers to avoid vaginal infections

The product types and their doses must be adapted to the age of the users.

There are many vaccines which are considered necessary. For example, vaccines against

• diphtheria,
• tetanus,
• poliomyelitis,
• Hepatitis A,
• Hepatitis B,
• Meningococcus C,
• yellow fever, or
• typhoid fever

To update or acquire the necessary vaccines, consult with your family doctor or seek an appointment at a centre for tropical medicine. The consultation should take place at least three months before your travel, to ensure the efficacy of the vaccine(s) received, taking into consideration the accelerated schemes of the vaccines.

On the other hand, give a long time-lapse such that if time runs out, you can still consult your family doctor