Mondial Assistance

You often hear of terrible road accidents happening in third world countries. But what would you do if it happened to you?

In October 2007 a Mondial Assistance customer, Damien Finch was critically injured whilst travelling on an overland trip in Rwanda with his brother-in-law. The overland truck that he was travelling on, carrying 18 tourists rolled off the road and down a 15 metre ravine.

Damien was taken to King Faisal Hospital where he had an urgent CT scan that showed a specific type of haematoma, bleeding in the brain.  He immediately under went surgery and was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Following the accident, a representative from the tour company contacted the Mondial Assistance Medical Assistance team to advise them of the incident and location of Damien Finch.

Our Medical Assistance team immediately contacted the hospital where Damien was admitted, to receive a full medical update which enabled the Medical Assistance team to fully brief his family in Australia on where Damien was, how he could be contacted and what his medical position was.

A number of other travellers on the overland truck were also seriously injured.   Mondial Assistance UK had one of their doctors flown over to assess travellers as they also had policy holders involved in the accident. The doctor from Mondial Assistance UK co-ordinated the evacuation of the injured to the closest hospital with the necessary medical facilities.

Our Medical Assistance team liaised with the doctor from Mondial Assistance UK to determine the best option for Damien based on his medical condition.  It was decided by our Chief Medical Officer, after reviewing the medical reports, that Damien remain in King Faisal Hospital for, 24 hours post surgery and then be evacuated to, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. 

Damien was then discharged from Kenyatta National Hospital on the 17th October as fit to fly where Mondial Assistance arranged his flight details to return home on a commercial flight on flat bed.

Throughout this process Mondial Assistance provided emotional support to his family back in Australia and his brother in-law who was travelling him.

ABOVE LEFT: Case Manager/Registered Nurse, Justin Dellaca and Registered Nurse, Elizabeth Ann Egan helped a traveller who sustained critical injuries in a bus accident, while touring a third world country. 

You’re in good hands with Mondial Assistance.

Our ability to provide overseas emergency medical assistance and claims processing in-house, with our Group presence around the world, means we are truly connected to the people we’re assisting in a caring way. In this case, our Medical Assistance teams were able to keep Damien, his travelling companion and family calm and reassured, during difficult times.

In Australia during 2006, we handled over 60,000 Travel Insurance claims and more than 37,000 Medical Assistance cases. Yet, in every case, we strive to provide a superior level of personal service, which sets Mondial Assistance apart. Our Medical Assistance is the key to your safety, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

Mondial Assistance Australia is a leading provider of Assistance and Travel Insurance.. Around the clock, around the world, we're always ready to help you - whatever it takes.