Treating the Root Cause: Misdiagnosis Leads to Life Saving Treatment

LONDON, June 21, 2010 - Conflicts and wars not only take their toll on human lives, but also on
the local environment. Whilst much publicity is focused on International
efforts to help rebuild Afghanistan's economy and social structures, less
well known is the - often voluntary - work going on to rebuild the
environment, part of which involves the planting of millions of trees, as a
more green environment helps to improve the dusty landscape damaged by years
of fighting. More greenery also means cleaner air.

The scale of environmental impacts caused by a conflict depends often on
the duration of combat and the state of industrial development in the country
prior to the conflict. The war in Afghanistan has lasted many years, if the
Russian conflict is included. Wide scale destruction and damage to forests,
water supplies, soil and wildlife has reduced the productive capacity of the
countryside, and undermined both food security and the sustainable human
livelihoods. If left unaddressed these environmental problems will undermine
the economic reconstruction process and lead to further instability as people
fight for scarce resources. The work of organisations such as the United
Nations Environment Programme and their associated volunteer staff is
therefore very important in any post conflict reconstruction situation.

One volunteer, Mr. Knowles got more than he bargained for whilst working
in Afghanistan as a reforestation expert. In his early sixties, fit and
healthy, one morning whilst going about his duties, he suddenly started to
feel unwell. Following normal procedures, using his international healthcare
policy, he contacted his insurer, MediCare International, who arranged for
him to be taken in the first instance to see a local doctor. Despite tests,
they were unable to diagnose the problem. Mr. Knowles' condition ten began to
deteriorate further, so after a further call to Medicare International's 24
hour Assistance Provider, an evacuation was arranged to Dubai where a more
sophisticated diagnosis could take place.

Dubai was chosen as is the nearest country with world-class healthcare
facilities and Mr. Knowles was rushed to the diagnostics department at one of
its leading hospitals. After an extensive examination, he was found to have
severe carbon monoxide poisoning, thought to have been caused by a faulty
water heater in his accommodation. In a strange twist of fate, the same tests
also uncovered severe blockage of the arteries, which led to Mr. Knowles
needing urgent triple heart by-pass surgery.

The total cost of this life-saving treatment was close to GBP60,000,
which included a flight back to Afghanistan for Mr. Knowles after he had
recovered, so he could continue with his environmental reconstruction work.

David Pryor, Senior Executive Director at Medicare International said:
"Mr. Knowles' remarkable story demonstrates the importance of having high
quality comprehensive medical insurance when expatriates are working in some
of the most difficult terrains. In this instance, purely by chance, the
Doctors were able to find and diagnose a life threatening issue which would
probably never have been found if Mr. Knowles had stayed in Afghanistan, as
he had no idea just how ill he was. The well-being of our policyholders is
our prime concern, and we will always do our utmost to ensure they receive
the best treatment, wherever they are in the world at any time of the day or
night. Our ability to offer insurance cover in this "passive war" environment
was also critical, as many policies would not have been able to do this. We
were delighted to have been able to provide assistance in returning him back
to Afghanistan to continue his valuable work in the region."

For details of MediCare's International health insurance plans visit
www.medicare.co.uk, email medicare@medicare.co.uk or
call +44(0)20-7204-3700.

Note to Editors

MediCare International has been speaking fluent healthcare for over 25
years ensuring simple, quick access to the best health facilities for
expatriates of all nationalities living or working abroad and protection
against the costs of inpatient and outpatient medical treatment. Currently,
MediCare International has clients in 114 countries worldwide of 86 different
nationalities.

MediCare specialises in designing flexible medical insurance cover backed
up with the assurance of 24-hour emergency medical assistance for clients and
their families. Help, advice and support are only a telephone call away where
trained professionals can authorise treatment/settle bills direct with
medical facilities, or arrange medical evacuation when necessary - wherever
you are in the world. Most medical bills are refunded within 10 days, making
this one of the fastest settlement times in the industry.

MediCare International were one of the first insurers to offer genuine
chronic care costs cover, so clients with long term medication costs can rest
assured knowing they will be covered.

Cover under group plans is also available to most local nationals.
Discounted group rates start with just 3 lives and full medical history
disregarded exemptions are available on groups of 10 and over, making
Medicare one of the most competitive staff cover providers.

    For further information on MediCare International, please contact:

    Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy
    Nacelle Limited
    Tel: +44(0)20-8333-9125

For further information on MediCare International, please contact: Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy, Nacelle Limited, Tel: +44(0)20-8333-9125