Case Studies

A member about to travel to Sierra Leone – did not have enough time to complete the full rabies course. Concerned, he called our Assistance Centre for advice.

On 20 November 2015 terrorists attacked an internationally recognised hotel chain in Bamako, capital of Mali. They took 170 hostages and killed 20 in a mass shooting. Throughout the day, our crisis management teams in Paris and London provided essential advice to clients. Our unique operations network meant we were able to maintain contact with clients and members affected and coordinate the response accordingly.

American mother who had learnt that her 19 year old daughter had been involved in a motorbike accident some hours earlier in Kedonganan, Bali. Her daughter, who was a college student on a school trip to Bali, had been admitted to a local hospital with serious leg and hip injuries. The hospital was asking for payment before treating her daughter’s injuries and were unwilling to accept the mother’s credit card payment from the US.

When you are on assignment it is important that you and your family have access to accredited doctors and quality healthcare. This case study highlights the importance of this.

Travel risk can change rapidly. Riots and political tensions can suddenly erupt and transform a relatively secure area into a high risk destination. International SOS and Control Risks work together to monitor security incidents worldwide and provide practical advice and assistance to members in difficult situations.

At many remote mining and drilling sites in addition to the employees and contractors living and working onsite, there may be several communities living nearby. This case study shows how effective malaria control for a work site accounts for the broader population around the project through vector control and health promotion programmes. It addresses the employer’s corporate and social responsibility obligations while helping meet productivity targets.

Running out of your medication is a major concern – particularly if you have a chronic condition and you’re working overseas. It makes sense to ensure you have sufficient supplies before travelling, particularly as pharmaceutical stocks vary widely around the world. However, if you forget, lose or run out of your prescription, International SOS can often help.

In September 2015, a military coup was launched in Burkina Faso. The coup was successful in seizing control of Ouagadougou, the country's capital. Running out of malaria medication whilst on business travel can be very stressful, especially if the country of travel is a malaria high risk zone. This situation was worsened for one member when the country suddenly experienced the coup, therefore heightening personal security risk and vulnerability.

At 25 weeks into her pregnancy while on holiday, the patient suffered ruptured membranes and went into premature labour.

Getting sick when you are abroad can be worrisome. Not only do you have to manage your illness, but you also may also have to negotiate unfamiliar healthcare systems and languages. The case study below highlights how we helped a member get best-in-class medical treatment while he was travelling in France.

When you are abroad, it can be difficult to negotiate the local healthcare systems. How do you know if the standard of medical care provided is adequate? If you are faced with a life-threatening event, then accessing appropriate medical treatment is absolutely critical. International SOS membership is designed to help.

A joint venture between International SOS and International Health Care (IHC) provided Football Federation Australia with medical assistance in Brazil. The joint venture was involved in preparing emergency response plans, providing health alerts and also the identification and assessment of suitable hospitals and clinics in the cities where the team was scheduled to play and train.

Mott MacDonald begun an innovative journey with International SOS: to deliver their new wellbeing vision. Mott MacDonald’s ‘My wellbeing’ programme launched in January 2019.

An education NGO from Australia needed to send a group of travellers – mostly women – to the project site for completion. One of the travellers was an openly gay female who had specific concerns about her safety while travelling to that country.

On 21 April 2019, nine suicide bombers carried out a series of attacks on three churches, three luxury hotels, a guest house and residential area across Sri Lanka.

International SOS ran an intensive one-day First Aid Training course for a fast-moving consumer goods company with an office in Russia. One of the participants was their Marketing Director, Thomas. It was his first ever First Aid Training but it later became a life-saving lesson.

The island of St. Kitts, in the eastern Caribbean, attracts tourists from around the world for its beautiful beaches, rainforest and mountains. But for an American couple on honeymoon, a hike into a dormant volcano took an unexpected turn and International SOS was there to help.

Going to a high-risk destination can seem daunting. However with the right pre-travel advice, you can better prepare for what lies ahead. The case study below illustrates how a member got critical information and inoculations before her upcoming trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo - by going online, calling an Assistance Centre, and seeing her travel doctor.

Seadrill is a leading off-shore drilling contractor, providing rigs for the oil and gas industry. It currently employs around 7000 people and has a fleet of 68 offshore drilling rigs.

Schools and universities have a Duty of Care obligation to protect students from foreseeable risk when studying or travelling abroad through the institution. This includes supporting students’ mental health, which can be exacerbated when away from home.