Medical Insurance & Other Guidelines for Delegates

Important information for all international and domestic participants travelling to Hyderabad

Your health and safety are a priority to GANSID. We strongly encourage all delegates, particularly those travelling internationally, to read this guidance carefully before departure. It covers medical insurance, nearby medical facilities, medication requirements, emergency procedures, and the support available to you on-site during the Congress.

1. Medical Insurance

Comprehensive medical insurance is essential for all Congress delegates. Medical care in India, as in any country, can be costly without appropriate coverage. GANSID does not provide or arrange medical insurance on behalf of participants; securing adequate insurance before departure remains the individual responsibility of each delegate.

What your policy should cover

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
• Medical evacuation and repatriation (including repatriation of remains)
• Pre-existing medical conditions, including any blood disorder, chronic illness, or condition for which you are currently receiving treatment
• Trip cancellation, curtailment, and interruptions
• Loss of medical equipment
• Personal liability

2. Travel Insurance

Pre-existing Conditions: Many standard travel policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless you actively declare them and obtain specific cover. If you are living with a chronic illness, its important to ensure your policy explicitly covers your condition before purchasing.

Verifying Your Insurance Before You Travel

Before departure, please confirm the following with your insurance provider:

• Your policy is valid for travel to India for the dates 21–27 October 2026 (allowing travel days either side of the Congress)
• Emergency medical evacuation to your home country is included.
• Any pre-existing condition, including your blood disorder, is declared and covered.
• The 24-hour emergency assistance number for your policy is saved in your phone and accessible offline.
• You understand the claims and pre-authorization process; some insurers require you to contact them before receiving non-emergency treatment.
• Your policy documents are available digitally (email or app) and as a physical printout.

3. Nearby Hospitals & Emergency Medical Facilities to the HICC

The Congress is hosted at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), Hyderabad, India.
Several well-equipped multi-speciality hospitals are located within a short distance of the venue. The table below lists facilities recommended for international delegates. Distances are approximate from the Congress venue.

Hospital	Address	Distance*	Contact
Medicover Hospitals, Hitec City	Hitec City, Hyderabad	~4 km	+91 40 6810 0000
Continental Hospitals	Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad	~6 km	+91 40 6700 0000
Care Hospitals, Banjara Hills	Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad	~7 km	+91 40 3041 8888
Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda	Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad	~9 km	+91 40 4567 4567
Osmania General Hospital (OGH)	Afzal Gunj, Opposite High Court, Hyderabad	~15 km	+91 40 2445 2484

* Distances are approximate and may vary by route.

4. Carrying Medications, Prescriptions & Medical Records

Please plan your medication needs carefully before traveling. The following guidance applies to all delegates, and is particularly important for those managing inherited blood disorders or other chronic conditions.

Medications

• Carry sufficient medication for your entire trip, plus a reserve of at least five additional days in case of delays.
• Keep all medications in their original, labelled packaging.
• Carry medications in your hand luggage; do not pack them in checked baggage.
• Check Indian Customs regulations for any controlled substances or injectable medications; obtain a letter from your prescribing physician if required.
• For analgesic therapies, particularly opioids, ensure you carry formal documentation from your treating physician confirming the clinical necessity for your treatment.

Medical Documentation

• Carry a letter from your treating physician summarizing your diagnosis, current medications (with generic names and doses), and any known allergies, in English
• If you use implanted devices, a port, or a PICC line, carry relevant documentation and your implant card.
• Bring a copy of your most recent relevant blood results or medical summary (e.g., HbS levels, G6PD enzyme assay, coagulation results) in case of emergency assessment.
• Keep digital copies of all medical documents in a secure, accessible location (email, cloud storage, or a trusted contact)

5. Emergency Contacts You May Want to Keep Handy

Service	Number	Notes
Police	100	All India emergency
Ambulance / Medical Emergency	108	National ambulance helpline
Fire	101	All India
Universal Emergency Number	112	Connects to police, fire & ambulance
Novotel HICC Front Desk	+91 40 6606 7000	Congress venue — available 24 hours
GANSID	Medical Support Area	On-site during Congress hours

6. GANSID Medical Support Area (On-Site Support)

GANSID is committed to providing a safe and well-supported environment for all delegates through the three days of the Congress. In the event of a medical emergency during the Congress, please follow the steps below: The following arrangements will be in place:

• A dedicated Congress Medical Support Area, staffed during all Congress sessions (23–25 October 2026), to assist with medical queries, referrals, and general welfare concerns.
• Liaison support: the GANSID staff can help communicate with hospital teams on your behalf in the event of an emergency, including translation assistance where possible.

*Please note that on-site first aid support is designed for immediate assistance only and is not a substitute for professional medical care.

7. General Travel Health & Safety Recommendations

Before departure

• Check the latest travel health advice from your national health authority and, if you have specific health concerns, consult your physician before departure.
• Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date.
• If you have sickle cell disease or are immunocompromised, consult your hematologist before receiving live vaccines.

During your stay in Hyderabad

• Drink bottled or filtered water; avoid ice in beverages from unknown sources.
• Hyderabad in October is warm (approximately 25–32°C / 77–90°F); stay well hydrated, especially if you have sickle cell disease, as dehydration can precipitate a crisis.
• Use sunscreen and appropriate clothing to avoid heat-related illness.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET, particularly in the evenings; mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue fever are present in the region.
• Carry hand sanitizer and observe standard hygiene precautions to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness.
• Allow time to acclimatize, particularly if travelling from a significantly different time zone; fatigue can exacerbate symptoms in those with chronic conditions.
• Keep your GANSID Conference badge and emergency contact information on you at all times during the Congress