Medical evacuation from Mali to Morocco: how do you organise the transfer from Bamako and the regions?

Reaching Bamako

Bamako handles most international air connections. For a patient from the regions, the road can be long and gruelling, and travel conditions vary from area to area. For a seriously ill patient, the team may consider it safer to arrange medical transport from the nearest town with a suitable runway. The choice depends on the patient’s condition and the conditions at the time; it lies with the doctors and the transport operator.

Heat and the infectious context

During the hot season, temperatures are very high. Waiting in a vehicle or at the airport exposes patients to dehydration, particularly children, older people, kidney patients and patients with sickle cell disease. Water, air-conditioned transport where possible and protection of heat-sensitive medicines should be planned.

Mali lies within the African meningitis belt and malaria is common there. A recent fever, infection or antimalarial treatment must be reported in the file: it guides the tests and precautions on arrival.

Language of documents and time zone

Medical reports are generally written in French and can be read directly in Morocco. As Bambara and other national languages are widely spoken, a companion who understands the patient and speaks French is invaluable for information and consent. Mali is on UTC+0; Morocco is on UTC+1 for most of the year and UTC+0 during Ramadan.

The medical file to prepare

• a recent summary letter with the reason for transfer;
• hospital, imaging and laboratory reports, dated;
• the images whenever possible;
• current treatments, allergies and any recent fever.

When some tests are not available in the patient’s region, it helps to say so: the team will know they will be done on arrival.

Funding and entry into Morocco

Funding may come from the family, an insurer, an employer or a body; prior approval is requested before departure. Entry requirements for Morocco depend on nationality and change over time: they must be checked with the Moroccan embassy in Bamako or on the official websites of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the patient as well as the companion.

Preparing the return

The return to Bamako, and possibly on to a region, is prepared before discharge: prescriptions using international non-proprietary names, medicines available in Mali, storage of heat-sensitive treatments, a follow-up schedule and a referring doctor.

Frequently asked questions