First Aid Kit and Medication for the Marshall Islands

Travelling to a tropical country like the Marshall Islands comes with a higher risk of a few common travel health issues, most notably sunburn, heatstroke, mosquito bites and stomach upsets from unfamiliar food or water. Plus, with travellers spending time swimming, snorkelling, boating and exploring the islands, minor accidents and injuries can happen.

With all of this in mind, it’s a good idea to be prepared for minor injuries and illnesses with your own travel first aid kit for the Marshall Islands.

We go through the essential medications to pack for a trip to the Marshall Islands in the checklist below.

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Table of Contents

10 Essential Health Tips for Travelling in the Marshall Islands

  1. Boiling water before drinking is advised. Alternatively, use a Lifestraw Bottle or one of the other methods discussed in Is the Water Safe to Drink in the Marshall Islands?
  2. Speaking of water, be sure to drink plenty, at least 68 oz (2 litres) every two to three hours to stay hydrated.
  3. If you’re feeling unwell, be proactive and see a local doctor immediately.
  4. Taking a couple of paracetamol and a nasal decongestant spray 30 minutes before a flight can help with flu-like symptoms and ear pain.
  5. Take sensible precautions. For example, cover yourself and/or use insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites and wear sunscreen.
  6. Carry medicines in your hand luggage in case your check-in luggage is lost.
  7. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have allergies or a chronic illness.
  8. If you are treated in the Marshall Islands, obtain a full written medical report for your travel insurer.
  9. If travelling with an infant, pack your usual brand of baby formula, as a change in diet may lead to bowel complications.
  10. If you become ill after returning home, tell your doctor that you have visited the Marshall Islands.

Our final tip is to check out our Marshall Islands Safety Tips for much more advice.

First Aid Kit Medication Packing
© MarshallIslandsPocketGuide.com

Marshall Islands Travel First Aid Kit Checklist

Although you can get first aid kits at pretty much any pharmacy, they are generic and often only include enough to deal with a couple of cuts. We like to create our own first aid kit that has been adapted to our destination, in this case, the Marshall Islands, as well as to our personal needs.

Our example Marshall Islands first aid kit includes a few prescribed medications, so make sure to book an appointment with your GP and get these prescriptions sorted before you travel.

What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for the Marshall Islands

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© MarshallIslandsPocketGuide.com

Other Medication and Health Products to Pack for the Marshall Islands

While not necessarily needed in your “first aid kit” for the Marshall Islands, these other medications and health products are also handy to have with you.

Sunscreen

With strong tropical sun in the Marshall Islands, it’s crucial that you protect yourself and your loved ones from sun exposure in order to avoid sunburn or heatstroke.

It’s recommended to use at least SPF 30 sunscreen, which should be applied thickly every three hours or soon after being in the water. Be sure to choose a sunscreen that’s safer for marine life too and bring this from home, as reef-safe sunscreen might not always be easy to find once you arrive.

Check out examples of safe sunscreen to use in The Best Sunscreens for the Marshall Islands + Sun Protection Tips.

Insect Repellent

It’s important to avoid mosquito bites in the Marshall Islands as much as possible, as mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and chikungunya can occur.

Check out our recommended mosquito repellents in the 10 Best Insect Repellents for the Marshall Islands.

Iodine (Water-Purifying) Tablets

As a precaution for drinking water from a tap or any other potentially unsafe source, iodine tablets dissolved in water can help remove some bacteria and viruses from the water.

This is not 100% effective though, so when possible, boil water before drinking it. Get more tips for finding safe drinking water in Is the Water Safe to Drink in the Marshall Islands?

Glasses/Contact Lenses

It’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses or spare sets of contact lenses, in case you lose or damage your glasses and/or contact lenses.

Seasickness Pills

If you are going out on a dive, snorkelling or fishing trip, or are usually prone to seasickness when travelling by boat, you may want to pack a few seasickness pills so you can enjoy the whole trip!

Prescription Medication

Finally, remember your prescription medication. It’s a good idea to bring medication in the original packaging with the label showing who it is prescribed for, just in case you are asked about your medication at the border.

As an extra precaution, get your GP/doctor to sign and date a letter describing your medical conditions and medications, including their generic names, should you need more prescribed medication while in the Marshall Islands. We recommend taking enough for your whole trip plus a few extras.

More Health Tips and What to Pack for the Marshall Islands

That's it for our complete medication packing list for the Marshall Islands but by no means the end of our advice! Check out the following guides for more handy tips:

Finally, get more essential tips from the 30 Tips for Travelling in the Marshall Islands and The Complete Travel Guide to the Marshall Islands.