Assess
Medical condition, incident severity and evacuation needs reviewed by experts.
Medical Evacuation
When someone becomes seriously ill or injured away from appropriate medical care, we assess whether they can be treated locally or need to be moved. If evacuation is required, International SOS coordinates the entire journey, from the treating hospital to the receiving facility, including medical teams, flights, ambulances, clearances and ongoing clinical oversight.
We arrange medical evacuations worldwide for organizations, members and private individuals, using air ambulances, commercial flights with medical escorts or stretchers, and ground ambulance transfers depending on the patient's condition.
How Can you Access our Evacuation Services?
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How it works
From First Call to Safe Arrival
Plan
Fit-to-fly assessment and evacuation pathway defined for medical evacuation and mass evacuation cases.
Coordinate
Medical, logistics and regulatory requirements managed across individual and large-scale evacuations.
Transport
Bed-to-bed transfers and mass movement arranged with appropriate medical teams and transport assets.
Support
Ongoing coordination, family assistance and safe handover through to final destination.
The Right Transportation for the Situation
Global Expertise When the Stakes are High
A successful medical evacuation depends on far more than access to an aircraft. International SOS combines medical expertise, global assistance capabilities and an extensive network of healthcare and transport providers to manage complex cases across borders.
Medical-led decision making
Every flight decision is governed by dedicated medical experts ensuring safety, clinical necessity, and patient stability over commercial speed alone.
Global Flight Authorizations
Direct diplomatic channels and round-the-clock aviation flight clearance teams handle overflight permits, emergency visas, and tarmac access worldwide.
29 24/7 Assistance Centers
Interconnected assistance hubs communicating in 99+ languages to ensure immediate local coordination and seamless clinical translation.80,000+ Accredited Providers
Pre-audited network of intensive care units, ambulance operators, and specialists inspected against rigorous global ISO medical standards.
Inside Our Assistance Centers
Every call starts the same way: with a few quick questions and the one that matters most: "How can we assist you?" What comes next depends on the answer, from providing local facility information and doctor referrals to evaluating existing treatment plans.
In critical situations, we coordinate patient transfers to specialized care centers or arrange a safe journey home for recovery. Backed by rigorous training, our team is equipped to respond immediately and keep your workforce safe wherever they are.
Real Stories from the Field
Against the Odds: Rapid Evacuation from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore
Discover how International SOS coordinated a specialized medical evacuation for a senior executive following a mountain biking accident in Sabah, Malaysia, ensuring a safe return to Singapore within 72 hours.
AssistanceEvacuationHealthRepatriation from Russia to US – Complex Medical Planning & Response
In February 2025, the Philadelphia Assistance Center handled an urgent request for repatriating a patient from a Moscow psychiatric facility to the U.S. With the patient’s visa expiring, swift action was needed. International SOS coordinated the evacuation, involving two escort teams and seamless travel through Moscow, Istanbul, and St. Louis, ensuring a safe return and recovery with family.
Coordinating Urgent Medical Support in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
When a consultant fell ill offshore in Saudi Arabia, International SOS swiftly coordinated a complex medical evacuation and case management. Leveraging its Dubai Assistance Center and local network, the team ensured safe transfer, cost control, and continuous communication. This case highlights the importance of proactive medical coordination and Duty of Care in remote, high-risk environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
A medical evacuation is the transfer of a patient to an appropriate medical facility when the required level of care is not available at their current location. Depending on the patient’s condition, this may involve an air ambulance, commercial aircraft stretcher, medical escort, or ground ambulance.
Yes. We can coordinate the medical evacuation of multiple sick or injured people following a major incident, including medical assessment, transport planning, logistics, and coordination with receiving facilities.
Medical evacuation usually involves transferring a patient to an appropriate facility for treatment. Medical repatriation involves returning the patient to their home country or usual place of residence once they are medically fit to travel.
Yes. In addition to supporting organizations and their people, International SOS coordinates private medical evacuation and repatriation for individuals, families, and authorized representatives.
Our medical professionals review the available clinical information, consult with treating doctors, and assess the care available locally. They then recommend whether the patient should remain in place, transfer to another facility, or return home.
Timing depends on the patient’s condition, location, destination, regulatory requirements, receiving hospital availability, and type of transport required. Our Assistance Centers operate 24/7 and can begin assessing the case as soon as the relevant information is received.
Costs vary depending on the patient’s condition, route, medical team, aircraft, and equipment required. Following an assessment, our team can recommend an appropriate transport option and explain the associated costs and payment requirements.
Yes. Where appropriate, our teams can coordinate with the patient’s insurer or assistance provider. Coverage and approval remain subject to the terms of the individual insurance policy.
