Medical evacuation from Nigeria to Morocco: how do you prepare the transfer from Lagos or Abuja?

Lagos, Abuja or another city

Lagos and Abuja handle most international connections. For a patient in hospital elsewhere, the team studies the safest departure point: a domestic flight to Lagos or Abuja, or medical transport from the nearest airport, depending on the patient’s condition. In Lagos, traffic can greatly lengthen the journey to the airport: the ambulance timing is planned with a margin.

A file in English

English is the official language and the language of medical reports. Specialists in Morocco routinely work with medical documents in English. During the stay, however, day-to-day information is often given in French or Arabic: a patient who does not speak French should come with a companion who can bridge the gap, and it is legitimate to ask for important information, particularly before consent, to be given in a language they understand.

Sickle cell disease and malaria

Nigeria is the country with the largest number of people living with sickle cell disease in the world, and malaria is common there. A patient with sickle cell disease who needs to travel requires precautions: hydration, protection from the cold, regular movement and, depending on the case, oxygen during the flight. A recent crisis, fever or chest pain must be assessed before departure. The north of the country also lies within the African meningitis belt: any recent fever must be included in the file.

Time zone

Nigeria is on UTC+1, like Morocco for most of the year; during Ramadan, Morocco moves to UTC+0. Doctors can therefore talk within the same time slot.

The medical file to prepare

• a recent summary letter with the question being asked and the reason for transfer;
• recent reports, dated;
• the imaging files, on CD, USB stick or download link;
• the pathology report in the case of cancer;
• current treatments, the genotype for a patient with sickle cell disease, and allergies.

Funding and entry into Morocco

The family, an insurer, an employer or a body may fund the care pathway, with prior approval obtained before departure. Entry requirements for Morocco depend on nationality and change over time: they are checked with the Moroccan embassy in Abuja or on the official websites of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Preparing the return

Discharge reports are written in French; it helps to ask for a summary in English for the doctor who will take over follow-up in Nigeria, where possible. The patient leaves with prescriptions using international non-proprietary names and a follow-up schedule.

Frequently asked questions