Health and Safety

Health, Safety, and Medical

Safety

Mongolia is considered one of the safest places in the world for travelers to visit. It is politically stable, and the crime rate is low. In fact, traditional Mongolian hospitality has been legendary to travelers since the time of Marco Polo. Nevertheless, observing common sense security precautions while traveling in Mongolia is still necessary.

Health

Vaccinations recommended for travelers to Mongolia include; Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Typhoid. For a full listing of vaccinations recommended for travelers going to Mongolia, log on to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) website at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mongolia.aspx, or refer to www.lonelyplanet.com/mongolia/practical-information/health.

Pharmaceuticals in Mongolia are usually from Chinese sources, and unfortunately not reliable. It’s better to bring prescription medications from home in the original bottle with clearly marked labels. It’s a great idea to bring a duplicate stash in a separate bag just in case some luggage is delayed or lost.

Insurance

MRA expeditions take place in remote, uncontrolled environments, and illnesses and injuries may occur that require medical treatment beyond our abilities. To ensure the safest possible experience for everyone, MRA requires all expedition members to purchase Travel Insurance www.worldnomads.com/insurance.aspx, or at least Emergency Evacuation Insurance www.tenweb.com prior to leaving home.

For more detailed information about traveling healthy in Mongolia, refer to www.lonelyplanet.com/mongolia/practical-information/health. The World Health Organization (WHO) also publishes an excellent book titled International Travel & Health, which is available online free at www.who.int/ith.

Medical

In Ulaan Baatar there are hospitals staffed by knowledgeable doctors, nurses, and technicians, however resources and supplies are not always available. There are some other reliable clinics in UB (SOS Medical) that cater to western travelers, and the US Embassy can also recommend suitable medical treatment facilities for international travelers in Mongolia.

In Mongolia’s countryside medical resources are spotty. MRA Guides are experienced Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and/or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) with the training and resources to treat common medical injuries and emergencies in a wilderness environment.