SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
Universities increasingly rely on travel risk management solutions to meet their duty of care requirements, particularly for traveling faculty and students. During a given term, a large state university can have over 2,000 students abroad, on top of hundreds of faculty members, researchers, and staff. In this sense, travel is ingrained in academia.
Due to the rising complexity of global risks, from political unrest to medical emergencies, travel in academia demands robust, proactive measures that safeguard institutional faculty, students, and reputation.
Consider the following example of a state university faculty member who fell critically ill in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this case, the patient, a US national, was admitted to a medical center after suffering from a fever for over 48 hours. With symptoms worsening, the patient’s supervisor contacted Crisis24 requesting evacuation support.
CRISIS24 IN ACTION : A SWIFT MEDICAL RESPONSE AND ONGOING OVERSIGHT
Upon receiving the call at our Global Operations Center (GOC), Crisis24’s medical assistance team immediately mobilized to evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action.
The patient was diagnosed with a multi-focal pneumonia, complicated by a pleural effusion, and a Vancomycin associated acute kidney injury. These conditions demand specialized medical care and close monitoring. The Crisis24 medical team, which included a case manager and a dedicated physician and nurse, reviewed medical facility capabilities using our proprietary network database. Considering a variety of factors, they determined that the original facility had the required expertise to stabilize the patient. The Crisis24 medical team maintained daily contact with the treating doctors to make sure that treatment aligned with recommended medical protocols.
Twelve days after his admission to the hospital, the patient was deemed fit-to-fly. At this point, Crisis24 medical experts provided aeromedical guidelines to prepare for safe air travel, and a medically escorted repatriation was arranged. The flight back to the US included oxygen support and a doctor escort to ensure the patient’s safety.
A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME
The patient safely returned home to the US on March 13, 2025, and continued to recover under the care of their primary healthcare provider. Crisis24’s meticulous approach—marked by a rapid response, expert medical monitoring, and global coordination—maintained the employee’s safety and well-being throughout the process.
This case underscores the pivotal role Crisis24 plays in safeguarding university faculty and students abroad. The successful intervention in Addis Ababa reaffirms our experts’ ability to respond effectively to a broad range of medical emergencies, no matter where patients may find themselves. It illustrates how having direct access to a global medical assistance team is valuable to a university’s community abroad. Through our 24/7 Global Operations Centers, proven medical protocols, and seamless coordination, Crisis24 ensured that the university could rely on consistent, expert support.
Learn more about our Medical Security Assistance capabilities.
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