Medical evacuation from Congo-Brazzaville to Morocco: what steps and what precautions?

Departing from Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire

Brazzaville, the capital, is served by Maya-Maya International Airport; Pointe-Noire, on the coast, by Agostinho-Neto Airport. The two cities are far apart and the road or railway between them is a long journey for a sick patient. When the patient is in hospital in one of the two cities, it is better to consider departing from that city rather than imposing an additional internal transfer. For a patient in another region, the first transfer to one of the two cities is an integral part of the care pathway and must suit their condition.

The international route is studied case by case, according to available flights, the patient’s condition and the chosen means of transport. It should not be assumed that a direct flight exists or that it suits the patient.

Congo or DRC: identifying the country clearly on every document

Brazzaville and Kinshasa face each other across the Congo River, and the two countries have similar names. On the medical report, the paying body’s form, the booking and any application to enter Morocco, it helps to write out in full “Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)”. This avoids form errors or the wrong rules being applied, as entry requirements for Morocco depend on nationality and may not be the same for both countries.

Preparing the medical file

Congolese medical reports are written in French. The file sent before any travel includes:

• a recent summary letter from the doctor caring for the patient, with the precise reason for the request;
• hospital, imaging and laboratory reports, dated;
• the images themselves whenever possible;
• the pathology report if cancer is suspected;
• current treatments, allergies and significant medical history.

These documents can be sent by email or WhatsApp. The coordination team may ask for additional items before submitting the file to the doctors.

Travelling with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is common in Central Africa. When a patient with sickle cell disease needs to travel, the reason for the transfer is not always the disease itself, but it shapes how the journey is prepared. In an aircraft cabin, the pressure is lower than at sea level and the oxygen available in the blood falls slightly; combined with dehydration, cold or immobility, this can trigger a crisis in some patients.

The medical team may therefore recommend, depending on the case, checking haemoglobin before departure, planning oxygen during the flight, drinking plenty, keeping warm and moving regularly. A recent crisis, fever, chest pain or breathlessness must be assessed before any journey. The file states the genotype, previous complications, transfusions and long-term treatment.

Funding

Depending on the situation, the patient and their family, a private insurer, an employer or a public body may contribute. Each body has its own procedure; prior approval must be requested before departure, with the medical report and a detailed estimate from the receiving facility.

Entering Morocco

Depending on nationality, entry into Morocco may be free, subject to an electronic travel authorisation or to a visa issued by a consular post. These rules have changed several times: they should be checked on the official websites of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs or with the Moroccan embassy, for the patient and the companion, as soon as a transfer is being considered.

Preparing the return

Before discharge, the patient receives the reports, results, prescriptions using international non-proprietary names and the follow-up schedule for their doctor in the Congo. It is wise to check that the prescribed treatments are available locally or to take a sufficient supply.

Frequently asked questions