MEDICAL RISK RATINGS
Medical Risk Ratings are determined using a proprietary algorithm with over 20 internal and external data points, and the first-hand knowledge of our expert medical professionals worldwide. The selected data points reflect a range of health risks and mitigating factors, including, but not limited to: infectious disease, environmental risks, sanitation, standard of emergency medical services, outpatient and inpatient medical care, access to quality pharmaceutical supplies, the International SOS security risk rating, medical evacuation data, complexity of evacuation and cultural, language or administrative barriers.
The medical landscape can vary widely within countries. For example, major cities may have better access to quality medical care; whereas remote or rural locations may have limited availability of health facilities and specialist care.
An overall single rating is given at a country* level. Members also have access to detailed risk ratings for selected cities within countries, and a subset of the risk factors.
*The term ‘country’ refers to traditional countries or independent states, as well as other geographic entities including dependencies, territories and areas of special sovereignty.
LOW MEDICAL RISKQuality medical care is available throughout. Specialist care, emergency and dental services, and quality prescription drugs are widely available. The risk of gastrointestinal infectious diseases is low due to widespread access to quality sanitation and drinking water sources. Medical assistance commonly required for travellers: Medical referral. Assistance with language and cultural differences. Payment. Evacuation rarely required. |
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MEDIUM MEDICAL RISKQuality general medical care and prescription drugs are available from selected providers. Emergency services, limited specialist and dental care are usually reliable. The risk of gastrointestinal infectious diseases is moderate due to variable access to quality sanitation and drinking water sources. Medical assistance commonly required for travellers: Selection of quality providers. Close supervision of medical care. Certain conditions may require evacuation. |
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VARIABLE MEDICAL RISKSignificant variation of travel medical risk: Quality medical care, medications, emergency services, and dental care are available from selected providers in major cities. Elsewhere: availability of these Services may be limited. Similarly, exposure to food, water-borne or potentially life-threatening infectious diseases may vary. |
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HIGH MEDICAL RISKBasic emergency services, medical and dental care may be available. Specialist care may be limited even in major cities. A wide range of quality prescription drugs may not be available. Infectious diseases linked to lack of access to quality sanitation and drinking water sources may be common. Communicable diseases may feature in the leading causes of mortality. Medical assistance commonly required for travellers: Selection of best care available. Close supervision of medical care. Transfer to a higher quality facility. Conditions requiring hospitalisation may require international evacuation. |
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VERY HIGH MEDICAL RISKHealthcare is almost non-existent or severely overtaxed. There may be very limited or no primary care, emergency care or dental services. Quality prescription drugs are frequently unavailable. Outbreaks of food and waterborne diseases linked to limited quality sanitation, such as cholera, and other communicable diseases may be common. Medical assistance commonly required for travellers: Selection of best care available. Close supervision of medical care. Transfer to a higher quality facility. All but minor health issues may require international evacuation |
SECURITY RISK RATING DEFINITIONS
Security risk ratings evaluate the risk posed to workforce by a range of threats. The rating considers risks from conflict, terrorism/insurgency/militancy, political violence, social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence, and industrial action) as well as violent and petty crime. Additionally, the rating accounts for the robustness of infrastructure, governance and the effectiveness of the security services to mitigate risks. The impact of natural disasters and local response capabilities are also considered where disasters are of sufficient magnitude to impact the overall risk environment.
INSIGNIFICANT SECURITY RISKRates of violent crime are very low. There is no significant political violence or social unrest Security and emergency services are effective and infrastructure is adequate. Transport services are of a high standard with good safety records and only occasional travel disruption. Industrial action |
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LOW SECURITY RISKViolent crime rates are low and racial, sectarian or political violence is uncommon. Protests may take Security and emergency services are effective, and infrastructure is adequate. Industrial action and Natural disasters may occur with warning and robust support is available to respond. |
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MEDIUM SECURITY RISKUnderlying conditions can lead to periodic, short-lived escalation of security environment. Political Workforce may face risk from communal, sectarian or racial violence and violent crime. Capacity of |
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HIGH SECURITY RISKVolatile security environment and limited infrastructure make key and/or large parts of the country or |
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EXTREME SECURITY RISKGovernment control and law and order may be minimal or non-existent. Armed groups often target Access to essential services such as power, telecommunications and/or health services is routinely |