What documents Somali patients need for treatment abroad

Most delays we see are not caused by money or by hospitals. They are caused by missing paperwork — and almost all of it is paperwork the family already has somewhere.

Gathering this before you enquire will get you a real answer faster, and a more accurate one.

Medical records

These are what our doctors read before approaching any hospital. The more complete they are, the more precise the treatment plan and the quotation.

• The diagnosis, in writing, from the doctor who made it.
• Specialist reports relating to the condition.
• Discharge summaries from any previous hospital admission.
• Scan images and their reports. Send both. A CT or MRI image without the radiologist's written report is much less useful, and a report without the images sometimes cannot be verified by the receiving hospital.
• Laboratory results, with dates. Recent results matter more than old ones, but a series showing change over time is often more useful than a single test.
• A list of current medication, including doses.
• Biopsy or histopathology reports, where a cancer diagnosis is involved.

Identity and travel documents

• A passport with sufficient remaining validity. Check the expiry date early — renewing takes time you may not have.
• Passport photographs meeting the embassy's specification.
• Documents for anyone travelling with you, including proof of relationship where a family member travels as an attendant.

What we produce for you

You do not need to obtain these yourself:

• The hospital's letter of invitation. We obtain this once your case has been reviewed and a plan agreed.
• The treatment plan and quotation.
• The visa application itself, submitted at the embassy.

How medical visa assistance works

How to send them

Scans or clear photographs are fine. If you have an account with us, upload them through the patient portal, which stores them securely and shows them only to the team handling your case — rather than sending medical records through a chat application.

If you have not yet enquired, start with the enquiry form and we will tell you where to send the files.

A note on privacy

Medical information you send us is seen by the Akabir Health team handling your case and by the hospitals we approach on your behalf with your knowledge. It is not used for anything else. Our privacy policy sets this out in full.

Next

• What affects the cost
• How to choose a hospital abroad
• Medical treatment abroad from Somalia