Medical Evacuation of a Patient with Brain Tumour During COVID-19

Overview

International SOS successfully evacuated a patient with a brain tumour for a Chinese conglomerate from Malaysia to China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Service: Medical Evacuation
Location: Sabah, Malaysia

Problem

Our client operating in Sabah, East Malaysia, was very concerned and reached out to us to request medical support to evacuate one of their employees back to Chengdu, China. The patient, a 35-year-old male, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Due to the pandemic, the company encountered a number of challenges such as the closure of international borders, care for bedridden patients, and optimal transportation options.

Solution

Both Kuala Lumpur and Beijing Assistance Centres were activated immediately for ground and air ambulance arrangements. There was coordination with the treating doctors, local hospitals, and local authorities for medical reports, travel documents, flight and landing permits from both countries. With our experience and language capability, the medical report was translated to Mandarin and was submitted with all required documentations to meet the requirements and protocol for prevention and control of COVID-19. The entire preparation to approval process was completed in less than five days.

Impact

The patient arrived safely to his home country and was successfully transferred to a designated local hospital where he received the necessary medical treatment with the presence and support of his family.