Hi!

Now that the trip is paid for (Rwanda and Tanzania in February), I am entering the “gathering of stuff to bring” stage. I have read on the board that some people bring their own needles and syringes, and was wondering if you just buy a kit? If so, where? Or do you get them from your doctor? I have been looking on-line at different kits and I am just getting more confused by the minute. Your expert opinions are badly needed. Thanks!!

Monica

My travel doc has kits at his office (highly priced I am sure). I just go to my regular doc, who knows me, and explain, and ask for 4-5 syringes in sterile packaging. You can also (depending on your state laws) buy at the pharmacy, insulin syringes- so that you have two sizes. You can also check places like ebay- as I have seen some kits for sale there. Most likely the company you are travelling with will have a first aid kit with you, and if you need the hospital, you won't have the correct or enough stuff to take care of all the injections/ possible IV etc... I DO take butterfly bandages and simple first aid things as well as a blister kit for those bad feet days!

Does anyone really think this is necessary? Seems a little overboard considering the only reason you would end up in a hospital is in an emergency situation and in this case 2 stertile needles really isn't going to do you any good. When I read on this before, I just assumed the person was diabetic and needed these for personal health reasons. Any comments?

I think it's a little overkill.

If you have EVAC insurance, you don't even worry about these things.

Plus, from what I have read, you will be going to a large city hospital with relatively clean facilities. You probably will not end up in some back water village.

But, while you are at it, you might want to bring a gun/rifle in case you run into thieves.......

I didn't even think about bringing sterile needles until I read some of the posts here. I did find a kit for about $50, that weights 4 oz on a webite at www.travmed.com. But not sure if that is going overboard.

Monica, unless you’re diabetic or an intravenous drug addict this is definitely overkill. I’ve never owned nor used a syringe and, with all the baggage weight issues, I wouldn’t consider bringing one or two to Africa.

Thanks for the feedback!

dssxxxx, now about that gun....

I wouldn't bother taking syringes on a luxury trip to Africa - the lodges and camps should have fairly comprehensive medical kits and if you have to be transferred to hospital it will likely be one of a good standard.

I do sometimes include sterile syringes in my medical kit when travelling off the beaten track and in areas where hospitals/ clinics with top hygiene/ safety standards are harder to find.

I have made use of them only twice in the last couple of decades but was very glad to have them on those occasions.

Thanks everyone. Additionally, does anyone find it is advisable to have your own first aid kit. Aside from having a few bandaids and ointment I feel the lodges and vehicles will have what we need. Agree? (We are doing TZ lodges and EMC camping)

Off the top of my head, the only thing that you may want to ask about would be if the kits supplied have epi. pens for various reactions to unknown allergens/bites etc.

Most of us bring some kind of broad spectrum antibiotic, so unless you bring your own special meds. pre loaded in a syringe or are hypersensitive to bacterias etc., I would nix the syringe.

Also, unless the local witch doc. is treating you (this may be a good thing), I wouldn't worry too much, as flying docs. and the hospitals that you'd be brought to have to submit to very high worldwide standards.

Besides, although unlikely, if you get mauled by a lion, the least of your worries would be who's carrying the syringe or the calamine lotion.
Good luck!

I do tend to take a fairly comprehensive medical kit with different meds to treat diarrhoea; vomiting/ nausea; fever; sore throats/ coughs; aches, pains and strains; allergies, bites and stings... I also add basics such as plasters and basic bandages (I don't feel the need to ask for a doctor to be called for a minor strain or cut), insect repellents, throat lozenges, eye drops for itchy eyes and so on. It does take up a fair bit of space and no, we don't use more than one or two items per trip but we're always extremely glad to have it and there have been times where some of the contents have quickly dealt with some pretty darn severe illnesses and allowed us to get back to enjoying our trip sooner.

Can't comment on medical assistance in Rwanda, but in Tanzania most of the lodges have an on-staff doctor; if not one is available on-call. Camps are equipped with med kits and if the need arises can radio for a doctor or a flight to get you out of there.

Therefore, in Tanzania, you should have Flying Doctor's coverages, who can fly-in to where you are and get you to hospital in Nairobi.

Unless you have specific need for needles and syringes - it's overkill. I haven't seen or found a "general" reason for these items in 13/years of travel to Africa.

Thank you all for your comments. This is helpful.

I get that this is overkill if you're going on a luxury safari, but what if you'll be in a more rural area? I am thinking of volunteering through a program that would place me in a rural village in Tanzania. Might it be wise to bring sterile needles in that situation or is it still unnecessary?

Hello,

Here's a link to a thread about what people put in their medical kits for their safaris:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34840769

Cheers,
Julian

Perhaps I am naive but I just take bandaids, a small amount of gauze with tape and handwash sanitizer.

I've just heard that needles and syringes are not always sterilized properly, and with the HIV rates in Africa, I wouldn't want to risk it if something happened. Also, I was thinking that might be a nice thing to leave behind. Bring a kit, if you don't use it, donate it to a local hospital before you go? Hospitals can always use supplies, right?

I've never been to Africa though, so I could be way off-base here.

I take a fair size medical kit with me so I can handle traveller's tummy, broad spectrum antibiotic,colds, a strong pain med,just in case (never needed to use it yet), and different size band-aides, esp. sterri-strips, and large size bandaids. Never forget time I cut bottom of my foot on coral and needed large covering. With the big bandaid no problem walking, but regular size ones would not stay on. Ended up going to hospital to beg them for big bandaids. Much easier to be prepared. First aid kits even in the best places are not always fully stocked.