Political as well as socio-economic factors may affect our practice. An understanding of the natural history of infectious diseases and its treatment is crucial and a good medical background is an asset. We need also to understand that the field of travel medicine is a dynamic one and we need to be constantly updated on outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases occuring around the world. The prevention of importation of infectious disease from another country is a major health and political issue. The control of outbreaks and the prevention of spread of such diseases across borders is a major goal for all countries.
Public education is therefore an important aspect of the practice of travel medicine.
The practice of 'travel medicine' in the region has been the provision of vaccination for certain endemic diseases as well as the treatment of infections when it occurs. It provided vaccination on demand to travellers but did not have facilities for medical consultation or provide advice on travel prophylaxis. Some private practitioners had also been involved in the provision of such vaccinations and some advice.