Singaporeans, here's some good-to-know information if you or your loved ones ever injure yourselves abroad. (Knock on wood.)
Things to do before your trip
Before embarking on your trip, you might want to consider doing the following:
1) Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance which covers medical costs;
2) Staying up-to-date of what's happening at the destination location; and
3) Registering your trip with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Singaporeans "strongly encouraged" to eRegister
According to the MFA website, the eRegister service is free and will enable the ministry to contact and assist you during an emergency.
Singaporeans are "strongly encouraged" to eRegister their trips, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said on Jan. 10, 2024 in a written Parliamentary reply to West Coast Group Representation Constituency Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng.
Ang asked the Foreign Affairs Minister what kind of assistance can MFA offer to Singaporeans who suffer serious injuries overseas, or who have family members who suffer fatalities overseas.
How MFA assists Singaporeans overseas
In his reply, Vivian said: "Assisting Singaporeans in distress is a priority for MFA."
For Singaporeans who have passed away overseas, Vivian said MFA will advise the next-of-kin on the procedures in relation to funeral services, local cremation, and/ or the repatriation of the bodies.
MFA will also reach out to the relevant local authorities to obtain the necessary documentation to repatriate the body or the cremated remains.
For Singaporeans who are seriously injured overseas, Vivian said MFA's immediate focus is to ascertain their status.
MFA will reach out to local authorities and medical institutions to check on the affected Singaporeans' conditions, and ensure that they receive the necessary medical attention.
MFA will also inform their next-of-kin in Singapore and render them consular assistance.
This may include connecting them to local doctors or providing them medical repatriation information so that they can bring those injured back to Singapore for treatment.
Transferring to Singapore for urgent medical treatment
The Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has a Patient Liaison Service (PLS), which assists in evacuating and repatriating injured Singaporeans.
Upon arriving in Singapore, an SGH ambulance can pick up and send the injured Singaporean to SGH, where they will receive medical treatment.
How to seek MFA's assistance
Singaporeans who need help can call the 24-hour MFA Singapore hotline at 6379 8000.
Alternatively, you can use the MFA website to look for and obtain the contact details of the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission.
Here's a short summary of what MFA's consular assistance can/ cannot do for Singaporeans:
✓ Provide information, advice and consular assistance.
✓ Contact relatives or friends to request them to send emergency funds for repatriation or other necessary emergency expenses.
✓ Notify next-of-kin if you are injured abroad, arrested or detained.
✓ Assist in arranging for the remains and personal belongings of a deceased Singaporean overseas to return to Singapore.
✓ Provide assistance during emergencies such as natural disasters or civil disorder.
✖ Pay medical, hospital, legal, accommodation, travel or other bills, fines and the posting of bails.
✖ Provide loans or cash cheques.
✖ Act as guarantor or sponsor.
✖ Arrange transportation, accommodation or work.
✖ Provide translation, mail-forwarding, telephone, fax/telex or other personal services.
Top image courtesy of Mothership reader