A child’s planned operation in Morocco: how do you prepare the child, the documents and the family’s stay?

Before departure: the child’s medical file

The team needs to know the child in order to prepare the operation and the anaesthetic:

• the diagnosis and the reports of tests already carried out, with the images if possible;
• recent weight and height, medical history, particularly prematurity;
• current treatments with doses and known allergies;
• the health record book with vaccinations and growth charts;
• any family history of anaesthetic problems, particularly an abnormal reaction.

This information enables the team to confirm that the operation is indicated, that the timing is right and that it can be carried out in good conditions.

Travel documents for a minor

A child must have their own passport, valid for the whole stay. Depending on the rules of the country of departure, an authorisation to leave the country or an authorisation from the other parent may be required when the child travels with only one parent or with another adult. Entry requirements for Morocco for the child and the accompanying adult must be checked on the official websites. The birth certificate and a document proving parental responsibility may be useful, particularly for signing consent to care.

Preparing the child

A child who has had things explained is usually less anxious. The words depend on age:

• for a young child, short sentences: they will sleep while the doctor treats them, and their parents will be there when they wake up;
• for an older child, a simple explanation of the operation, of possible pain and of how it will be relieved;
• for a teenager, fuller information and the chance to ask the team their own questions.

Their comfort toy, a game or a tablet with their cartoons help make the surroundings more familiar.

Just before the operation

The anaesthesia team meets the child and their parents before the operation. It explains fasting, whose rules are precise and must be followed for the safety of the anaesthetic, how the child will be put to sleep and how pain will be managed. A fever, cough or cold that appeared during the journey must be reported: depending on the case, the operation may go ahead or be postponed by a few days or weeks. Whether a parent can accompany the child until they fall asleep depends on the department.

During the hospital stay

Having a parent at the child’s side is an important support; how this works, particularly at night, depends on the department. Pain is assessed regularly with tools suited to the child’s age and treated. Eating resumes according to the operation. Parents also need arrangements for their accommodation, meals and, if they have other children at home, childcare.

Preparing discharge and the return

Before leaving hospital, parents should know:

• how to care for the wound and when to remove any stitches;
• which medicines to give, at what dose and for how long;
• which activities to avoid, and when the child can return to school and sport;
• which signs require prompt medical attention: fever, persistent vomiting, pain that is not relieved, redness or discharge from the wound;
• when the child can fly, according to the team’s advice.

The operative report and the hospital discharge report are given to the parents for the paediatrician or surgeon who will follow the child after the return. Some operations require follow-up as the child grows: the schedule must be clear and realistic given what is available in the home country.

Frequently asked questions