What changes during a long stay
In Houmt Souk, Midoun and across the island, 911 Travel Assistance supports residents and travellers with medical visits, referral to a clinic and coordination with their insurer.
• Medication supplies must cover the entire trip, with an appropriate extra amount.
• Chronic illnesses require the usual ongoing follow-up, even on holiday.
• Unfamiliar accommodation, an infection or reduced fluid intake can make an older person more vulnerable.
A doctor in Djerba: +216 97 911 911 by phone or WhatsApp 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In a life-threatening emergency, call 190 first.
Before departure: prepare your medication and medical records
Arrange an appointment with your usual doctor, ideally four to six weeks before departure. This allows an assessment of the stability of your chronic illnesses, useful vaccinations and any particular travel needs. [1]
1. Check quantities. Bring enough medication for the entire planned stay and an appropriate reserve for possible delays. Dispensing and import requirements depend on the medicine and the country; check before leaving. [1, 2]
2. Prepare a legible prescription. Ask for the active ingredients, prescribed doses and dosing times to be specified. Keep a paper copy and a copy accessible on your phone.
3. Gather your records. List illnesses, operations, allergies and treatments. Add relevant test results, your usual doctor's contact details and those of a person to notify.
4. Keep medication in your cabin baggage. Carry it in its original packaging with the prescriptions. For insulin and other temperature-sensitive products, follow storage requirements and avoid both freezing and heat. [2, 3]
5. Check your insurance. Check the maximum covered trip duration, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, excesses and repatriation terms.
6. Prepare for daily life. Identify steps, make night-time movement safe and arrange your usual aids. Maintain the fluid intake recommended by your doctor, particularly if you have been prescribed a fluid restriction.
7. Save contact details. 911 Travel Assistance: +216 97 911 911. SAMU in Tunisia: 190. Also give a relative or trusted contact your accommodation address.
Renewing a prescription and finding your medication
Brand names and the availability of medicines may differ from those in your home country. Show the doctor and pharmacist your prescription, the packaging and, if possible, a list of active ingredients. Renewal requires a medical assessment suited to your situation.
Plan ahead before your supplies run out, ideally one to two weeks in advance. This allows time to check availability and arrange a consultation or tests. It does not guarantee that a particular medicine will be available.
Do not change your treatment on your own, especially an anticoagulant, antiarrhythmic, antiepileptic or thyroid treatment. If your usual product is unavailable, the doctor and pharmacist will assess a suitable solution; an alternative from the same class is not automatically interchangeable.
If your treatment requires monitoring, such as INR testing while taking a vitamin K antagonist, arrange it before departure and during your stay as prescribed. With your agreement, our team can guide you and help send results to your usual doctor.
A doctor at home in Houmt Souk and Midoun
Our team arranges doctor visits to hotels or homes in Houmt Souk, Midoun, Sidi Mahrez, Aghir, Erriadh, Guellala, Ajim and the rest of the island. Coordination can also be arranged for Zarzis. The expected response time is specified when you call, according to the address, clinical situation and team availability.
The doctor examines the patient, assesses symptoms and treatments, then decides on the appropriate course of action. Depending on needs, the visit may include a prescription, care, a medical report for insurance, further tests or arranging a transfer.
For a long stay, scheduled follow-up can be agreed: clinical review, blood pressure or blood glucose monitoring when indicated, and reassessment after an infection or discharge from a clinic. Frequency depends on the patient's needs.
Dependent older people can benefit from coordination with their family and usual care providers. Discover our long-stay and EHPAD nursing home services and our doctor and ambulance resources in Djerba.
Falls, illness or infection: when to call
In the event of significant chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness or suspected stroke: call SAMU on 190 first. Do not wait for a WhatsApp reply. [4, 5]
A drooping face, sudden weakness in an arm or leg, or a sudden speech problem should raise suspicion of stroke, even if the symptoms disappear. Note the time of onset and call emergency services immediately. [5]
Seek medical advice promptly after a painful fall, inability to get up, a blow to the head - especially when taking an anticoagulant -, new confusion, unusual drowsiness, fever with deterioration in general condition, or symptomatic loss of diabetes control.
In an older person, vomiting, diarrhoea or difficulty drinking can rapidly cause dehydration. Do not automatically wait until the next day, especially if urine output falls, weakness is marked or behaviour changes. [6]
While waiting for help
• After a fall, do not force the person to get up; avoid unnecessary movement unless there is immediate danger, and follow the emergency dispatcher's instructions.
• If the person is unconscious or not breathing normally, report this immediately to 190 and follow first-aid instructions.
• Do not give anything by mouth to someone who is unconscious, very drowsy or has difficulty swallowing.
• Gather prescriptions and the insurance card, make access to the accommodation easier and remain reachable.
For further guidance, see our article on an emergency doctor in Djerba.
Hospitalisation, insurance and returning home
If hospitalisation is necessary, our team arranges transport to a suitable facility in Djerba or on the mainland and coordinates admission.
With your agreement, we contact your insurer and send the necessary medical information. A guarantee of payment may reduce the upfront payment of covered costs, subject to agreement by the insurer and the facility. Exclusions and excesses still apply.
With your consent, we inform your family and usual doctor. Follow-up and care after discharge can be arranged.
If your condition warrants an early return, medical repatriation can be considered with your insurer: a scheduled flight with a medical escort or an air ambulance, depending on the medical assessment and the necessary approvals.
The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Tunisia. For people insured in France, some urgent and unforeseen care received outside Europe may potentially be reimbursed after returning home, within French tariff limits. Applications are made through an ameli account or form S3125; approval is not automatic. Particular situations may fall under bilateral agreements: check your entitlements with your health insurance fund. [7]
Keep detailed paid invoices, prescriptions, medical reports and proof of payment.
Useful references
This article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation.
Sources consulted on 13 November 2026. Information about coverage should be checked against your circumstances and policy.
[1] CDC - Travelers with Chronic Illnesses https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travelers-with-additional-considerations/travelers-with-chronic-illnesses.html
[2] CDC - Traveling with Prohibited or Restricted Medications https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travelers-with-additional-considerations/traveling-with-prohibited-or-restricted-medications.html
[3] CDC - Tips for Traveling With Diabetes https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/tips-for-traveling-with-diabetes.html
[4] Tunisian Ministry of Health - Emergency medical assistance services https://santetunisie.rns.tn/fr/sante-en-tunisie/medecine-d-urgence/les-services-d-aide-medicale-urgente-samu
[5] French Health Insurance - Stroke: what to do https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/urgence/pathologies/avc
[6] French Health Insurance - Dehydration https://www.ameli.fr/assure/sante/urgence/pathologies/deshydratation
[7] French Health Insurance - Holidays abroad: healthcare coverage https://www.ameli.fr/assure/droits-demarches/europe-international/protection-sociale-etranger/vacances-etranger