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| Categories: Tips for travelling |
| Tips for travelling |
Universal tips for diabetics on travals |
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When travelling to Jamaica you should be very careful, because there is a high percentage of violent crime around the Kingston area, but also in other tourist regions. You should avoid large crowds and walking alone in the dark outside the hotel complex. Even wearing expensive jewellery and technical equipment like cameras may attract the attention of thieves and robbers. You should make copies of all your important documents (passport, ticket, travellers’ cheques) and keep them separate from the originals. It might also be useful to store one copy with someone at home.
The usual means of transportation in Jamaica are busses, minibusses and taxis. Be careful that you only use authorised taxis and minibusses. These will have a red-and-white PP-license plate and either display a blue JTB (Jamaican Tourist Board)-sticker or a lime green JUTA-sticker, the authorisation by the Jamaican United Travellers’ Association. Ask the hotel personnell or a uniformed airport attendant to call one for you.
Different to what people expect, Jamaica has got very strict laws. The possession of drugs is prohibited, as are certain homosexual acts. Indecent language and nudity in places which are not designed for it are seen as public nuisance and may cause arrest. So show adequate behaviour at all times.
The health care service in Kingston and most tourist areas is good, but it is poor in most remote areas. The quality of Jamaica’s 16 public and 6 private hospitals varies significantly. Emergency services are located in Kingston and Montego Bay, but larger hotels often offer the services of a GP and a dentist on 24-hour-call. Emergency calls are 119 for the police and 110 for the ambulance.
Prior to your journey you should get a comprehensive travel and health insurance that will cover expensive medical treatment and evacuation to your home country if necessary. Nevertheless, be prepared that you will have to face high costs if using health care services in Jamaica. Usually, you will be asked to pay cash in advance or at least provide a deposit via credit card. Always ask for a detailed invoice from your doctor to present to your insurance company for refund afterwards.
Consult your GP and and institute for tropical medicine for advice before you go on your trip. Generally, it is enough to update your standard vaccinations. Take precautions against insect bites, like bringing light-weight long clothes and insect spray, to avoid infection with malaria or dengue fever. Further illnesses can be prevented by only using safe food (cooked meat, no milk products, no products bought on the street) and water (boiled and filtered or bottled).
People who, like diabetics, need regular medication should bring along an adequate amount from home. Pharmaceuticals should be carried in their original packing in your carry-on luggage. Please pay attention to flight security restrictions if your medicine is a liquid and also inform about customs regulations. You can get a statement from your GP explaining your condition and medication, to be sure.
For special questions regarding Diabetes in Jamaica also consult:
Diabetes Association of Jamaica
http://www.diabetesjamaica.com
Headquarters: 1 Downer Avenue; Kingston 5
Tel.: (001876) 927-6774
Email: diabetesja@kasnet.com
Sources:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Jamaica
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/130/health/Caribbean/Jamaica.html
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/jamaica
http://wwwn.cdc.gov.travel/destination.Jamaica.aspx
Writen and translated by Yvonne Balzer |
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