Questions about medical issues

Hello Liubi.

Welcome to Expat.com!

Aurélie

Liubi wrote:

We will be moving to KAUST, Jeddah and I am looking for some answers on medical issues.
I have a chronical disease. Is it necessary to take with me:
A. A letter written by my doctor in which it says I have this disease
B. various prescriptions (in English?) for medicine
C. what amount of medicine can I take with me?
D. how is medical treatment of chronic diseases in Jeddah?

Or should I contact the hospital at KAUST?

What about children? My oldest son has some allergies. Can I just take the prescriptions or do I need a letter of the doctor as well?

Thanks!

hi Liubi,

Yes, your understanding is correct. You need to take care of all the medical prescriptions and documents, bring them along with you for yourself and your family.
Regarding medicine, please check if it is available locally in K.S.A. If not, you may carry enough amount (with a written proof from doctor that you need it). If this medicine is available here in K.S.A, then you may carry a nominal amount that is allowed, but still, hand carry the medical prescription document in which it is clearly stated that you need them. Also, take the invoice copy of these medicines from the pharmacy/medical shop from where you are going to purchase them.

Good luck and take care. About Kaust, I have visited it three times, it is a wonderful place to stay with your family. You have all the medical and leisure facilities available inside the university. Just make sure from their administration that the medicines that you need for yourself and your family are available locally in KAUST. Rest assured, it will be fine with you.

Cheers.

One more point, regarding chronic diseases, you need to check again from KAUST administration if the treatment of your specified chronic disease is available in KAUST/Jeddah.

@Shikra, thanks for your help! A quick search on the internet tells me that the medicine is available. It is not a narcotic so it should not be a big problem then. I will contact our HR coordinator at Kaust. In the meantime I have called all our doctors and letters will be available. That takes away part of the stress.

Liubi wrote:

@Shikra, thanks for your help! A quick search on the internet tells me that the medicine is available. It is not a narcotic so it should not be a big problem then. I will contact our HR coordinator at Kaust. In the meantime I have called all our doctors and letters will be available. That takes away part of the stress.

I would be amazed if customs even opens your luggage.

Please, don't be stressed

Alliecat wrote:

Liubi wrote:

@Shikra, thanks for your help! A quick search on the internet tells me that the medicine is available. It is not a narcotic so it should not be a big problem then. I will contact our HR coordinator at Kaust. In the meantime I have called all our doctors and letters will be available. That takes away part of the stress.

I would be amazed if customs even opens your luggage.

Please, don't be stressed

Liubi, do not listen to the CAT

See, there is actually no reason to be stressed, the Immigration/custom officers are fine at Jeddah and Riyadh (not in Dammam), but you never know. So it is always better to be prepared from your side completely. Sometimes, the custom guys look into the luggage thoroughly (yes AllieCat, they do) and sometimes they really do not give a damn. It entirely depends upon the custom guy and about your lucky hour of the day.

And yes, no need to stress because you are following the procedure, so nothing can go wrong

Greetings in advance from K.S.A, cheers.