Introduction
This is designed for people working in the oil & gas industry in Africa that may have questions about why they need a medical and what will happen.
Why do you need a medical?
Most people do not feel the need to have regular medical screening because according to them, “I feel fine”.
What they don’t know however is that you may ‘feel fine’, yet have an underlying condition. It takes a while most times for a medical condition going on at the systemic level to manifest physically except in acute situations like trauma and infection. Some infections take longer to take a toll.
So, in essence, you may feel fine and yet not be fine. A medical is an opportunity for early detection of diseases, which is very key to prevent complications that may be fatal.
Even if after the medical screening, you turn out fine, it is an opportunity to address prevention, get coaching on healthy lifestyles and do a review of any chronic medical condition you may have or underlying.
If you happen to have any underlying medical condition, or have a close family member who has a chronic medical condition, you especially need to schedule an annual medical check-up.
For people who work off-shore where they work on ships and islands, this is more important because weather conditions are different from what they are used to in their natural habitat. It is cold and windy as weather conditions are extreme.
Accident-prone machines are used on these off shore plants, although every effort is usually made to keep risks at a bare minimum. There is a risk of spread of infectious diseases. There is also the psychosocial aspect as people come down with work-related stress as well
What tests are done?
An Offshore Medical normally consists of the following:
- Patient health history questionnaire
- Urinalysis – routine urine test with immediate result
- BMI – height, weight and calculation of Body Mass Index
- Near, Distance and Color Vision
- Pulse and Blood Pressure Measurement
- Lung Function Test (peak flow)
- Audiogram (hearing test)
- Consultation with a Doctor
What to expect at my offshore medical?
- Expect to meet a health personnel who will ask you detailed and direct questions to obtain your medical history.
- Expect a physical examination to check your different body systems.
For more information on how to complete your offshore medical or other occupational health checks please contact us. Send an email to fdnsales@flyingdoctorsnigeria.com
About offshore medical evacuation and our medevac plans:
- Remote Site Medicine
- Infectious Diseases & Medical Evacuation in Offshore Medicine in Africa
- Health and Safety in Mining/ Solid Minerals Sectors
- Accessing Care Everywhere
- Air Ambulance Evacuation to Remote Areas in West Africa
About the Flying Doctors Nigeria Air Ambulance Service
The Flying Doctors Nigeria is a leading air ambulance company covering West and Central Africa. For patients that have overwhelmed the level of care available in their local environment, air ambulances are essential for transferring these patients to better levels of care.
We also offer medical evacuation plans which provide medical evacuation and treatment in the event of an emergency for a small yearly fee.
To learn more about us and our services, send us an email at fdnsales@flyingdoctorsnigeria.com
Or visit our website at www.flyingdoctorsnigeria.com
