Page 354 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

352  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Health and Security to go, otherwise you will be
taken automatically to the
Crime in Morocco is no worse than else where and most nearest public hospital. In remote
visitors will experience no serious problems. The fact that regions, the only way of reaching
the police have a high-profile presence contributes to this a hospital is to hire a taxi.
degree of personal safety. As in any other country, a few
basic precautions should be taken so as to avoid the Pharmacies
attention of pickpockets. Visitors should also be aware that All pharmacies in Morocco
drug-taking, especially in the north of the country, is one are denoted by a sign in
of the prime threats to personal safety. The best policy is to the form of a crescent. Duty
have nothing whatsoever to do with drugs, however mild. pharmacies are open on
Sundays, and their address
While the standard of Morocco’s public hospitals is uneven, is posted in the window of
private clinics are very expensive. It is advisable to take out pharmacies that are closed.
health insurance in your own country before you leave. In large towns and cities,
duty pharmacies stay open
round the clock.
Pharmacies have helpful,
knowledgeable staff who are
able to give advice on minor
health problems. Certain
medicines that can only be
obtained on prescription
in Europe are available over
the counter in Morocco.

Food and Water
Many visitors to Morocco suffer
SAMU ambulance from stomach upsets, which are
often caused by the change of
Vaccinations and Minor equipment. Standards of diet. Avoid drinking tap water,
Health Risks
hygiene are also unsatisfactory. especially in rural areas, and
No vaccinations are required If you have the option, choose keep to bottled mineral water
for visitors entering Morocco, a private clinic. Although these (see p319). Make sure that the
except for those coming from are expensive, standards of bottle is opened in front of
a country where yellow fever care are close to European you. Do not add ice to any
exists. However, vaccination ones. Your country’s drink and avoid diluted
against hepatitis A and B and embassy or consulate fruit juices.
typhoid is advised. Visiting certain will provide a list of On hikes and treks
regions of southern Morocco approved doctors take water-purifying
in summer carries a slight risk and hospitals. tablets to make spring
of exposure to malaria; anti- Pharmacy sign water safe to drink.
malaria pills are available locally. Alternatively, boil
However long you plan to Emergencies the water for 20 minutes.
stay in Morocco, and where ver In the case of accidents that Be wary of salads and raw
you intend to go, take a first-aid occur in the home or on the vegetables, and of peeled fruit
kit with you. It should include public highway, the fire brigade and vegetables. They should be
gauze, bandages, antiseptic is the first to attend the scene. washed carefully. Food prepared
and syringes, particularly if you Its ambulances are usually at street stalls is another potential
intend to spend any time in run by the Moroccan Red hazard. Although it is usually safe,
sparsely inhabited rural areas. Crescent and they are as long as it is freshly cooked,
To prevent sunstroke, drink marked “ambulance”.
plenty of water, wear a hat and In the case of medical
use a sunblock with a high emergencies that occur
UV-protection factor. in the street, SAMU
ambulances will take
you to the nearest
Medical Care
hospital. Tell the
Although most public hospitals ambulance or taxi
in Morocco have excellent driver to which
specialist doctors, they are (private) hospital
underfunded and lacking in or clinic you wish A fire brigade vehicle

352-353_EW_Morocco.indd 352 09/08/16 11:20 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm