Poland: MoniMed to provide airport and cross-border ground ambulance as Accredited Service Provider to the International Assistance Group

Paris, France, 2 June, 2026 – Expanding our ground ambulance options, we are delighted to announce that MoniMed Transport has joined the International Assistance Group as our latest Accredited Service Provider.

Based in Central Poland, MoniMed Transport supports air ambulance missions at all Polish airports and into nearby Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

Additionally, MoniMed’s complete bedside-to-bedside ground transport service operates across Europe and into Belarus and Ukraine, including the arrangement of hospital admissions under its medical team’s supervision.

‘Meeting all the requirements of our ISO9001 vetting process, MoniMed also showed the dynamism and commitment of a family-run business focused on a ‘can-do’ attitude,’ commented IAG’s Network & Quality Manager, David Cléro. He added: ‘Our partners and providers very much look forward to meeting the MoniMed team at our next Forum in October.‘

MoniMed crews are BLS/ALS-trained paramedics, nurses, and ICU doctors, with English in their language range, and composed to meet the needs of each specific mission. Their fleet of four Mercedes ground ambulances is equipped to meet internationally recognised standards in BLS, ALS and ICU transfers with doctor support.

Founded as a ground ambulance company 6 years ago, MoniMed traces its history back to 2012 as a nursing and medical care company. Today, they serve a range of well-known assistance companies and air ambulance providers.

Poland has a significant and dynamic travel market. With culture and history at its heart, it draws in 22 million visitors each year. The desire to explore culture and history is also a key driver for the over 40 million Poles who travel abroad each year. 

Unique Hong Kong: MediLink-Global Assist appointed International Assistance Group’s Core Partner

Paris, France, 29 May 2026 – The coveted International Assistance Group’s Core Partner status has been granted to MediLink – Global Assist, we are delighted to announce. This follows our established and respected ISO 9001-accredited vetting process and covers the unique, vibrant, and densely populated Hong Kong Special Administrative Area.

Established Core Partners within the International Assistance Group will benefit from MediLink’s comprehensive range of medical assistance services, together with their discipline in medical claims management, which has served international insurance organisations for many years.

MediLink will now be able to access IAG’s robust, tested international network through a dedicated and comprehensive platform, participate in focused networking events and awards, and benefit from a range of in-person and online educational opportunities. And to display the IAG’s Core Partner badge.

‘We are thrilled that MediLink has committed to becoming a Core Partner in our extraordinary group of partners and providers,’ stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood, adding: ‘In an area where medical bills are high, I am sure everyone will significantly benefit from MediLink’s systematic approach to managing and containing costs.’

MediLink’s network of 16 inpatient and 1,200 outpatient facilities within Hong Kong covers a landmass smaller than that of Rome, London, Istanbul, or New York City, where 7.5 million residents are mainly concentrated in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. It has more skyscrapers than anywhere else in the world.

In addition to over 35 million trips from mainland China, Hong Kong draws in over 12 million international visitors, one-third from long-haul markets such as Europe, the Middle East, the USA, and Australia.

 

APRIL Asia Appointed as IAG Assistance Partner in Vietnam

Paris, France, 20 April 2026 – APRIL Asia, through its dedicated APRIL Assistance teams, has been appointed as the International Assistance Group’s (IAG) Assistance Partner in Vietnam. The appointment extends a long-standing collaboration, with APRIL Asia having served as IAG’s Assistance Partner in Thailand for many years, where its teams have been recognised three times with IAG’s Quality Award.

“APRIL’s teams in Vietnam set out a robust, efficient and localised approach during our ISO 9001 vetting process,” stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. “As three-time winners of our coveted Quality Award for their operation in Thailand, our partners look forward to the APRIL approach in what can be a very demanding country.“

“Being appointed by IAG in Vietnam is the natural next step in a partnership built on consistently high standards of care. Our teams in the region have deep local expertise and a proven track record in delivering assistance services in complex healthcare environments. We are proud to bring that same level of excellence to Vietnam,” said Romain DiMeglio, CEO of APRIL Asia and the Middle East.

Already serving an international client base, APRIL Asia’s assistance teams in Vietnam have direct agreements with over 70 medical facilities across five cities, where private treatment is the preferred pathway.

Local representation is a key factor when dealing with an under-resourced public healthcare system. Upfront payments and a lack of international language skills pose a real challenge for travellers and expatriates.

To counteract opportunistic pricing, APRIL conducts medical case reviews, audits, and cost comparisons against a proprietary database. Agreed tariffs and discounts are applied to medical facilities within the network. As a full assistance provider, arrangements can be made for ground transportation, nurse escorts, medical evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains, as well as assistance with accommodation and legal advice.

Vietnam continues to grow as a major travel and expatriate destination. In 2025, over 21 million arrivals were recorded, a 20% increase over 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Culture, international connections, and ease of visa applications are expected to further stimulate the inbound travel market, particularly from outside the immediate region.

International Assistance Group Strengthens its Global Commercial Medical Escorts Capability with the Accreditation of Prime Nursing Care

Paris, France, 9 February, 2026 – We are delighted to welcome Prime Nursing Care as our newest Accredited Service Provider for Commercial Medical Escorts, following their successful completion of our rigorous ISO9001 quality vetting process.

EURAMI-accredited for over 10 years now, having achieved the first Advanced Care accreditation, Prime Nursing Care brings significant international experience in bedside-to-bedside commercial medical transportation. Their team of 75 compassionate and knowledgeable doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics speak nine languages and conduct hundreds of missions each year.

‘Prime Nursing Care is a significant addition to our well-developed, global commercial medical escort capability, said Louise Heywood, the International Assistance Groups’ General Manager. ‘Our growing number of partners demand more than just capacity; they expect clinical professionalism and operational understanding, which Prime demonstrated in their application”

Whether it is business-class escorts, first-class flatbeds, or commercial stretchers, no matter where the patient is located at, Prime Nursing Care’s experienced doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics use the latest equipment to ensure patient safety both in the air and during connecting ground transfers. Each clinician has a minimum of 3 years’ post-graduation critical care or emergency care experience and advanced life support training.

Headquartered in Florida, USA, with a branch in Switzerland, Prime Nursing Care coordinates its global operations through a dedicated 15-person team, with clinical oversight from a full-time medical director, a clinical care team and a case review group.

Aiming high in Nepal: CIWEC Hospital joins the International Assistance Group as an Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 2 February, 2026 – Serving diplomats, aid workers, and adventure travellers for over 40 years, we are delighted to welcome Nepal’s CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to the International Assistance Group (IAG).

‘Through our international ISO 9001 vetting process, CIWEC has demonstrated their ability and commitment to serving our Core Partners, in what is a very demanding environment,’ stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘We very much look forward to their unique perspective in our collaborative medical discussions, helping travellers and expatriates.’

CIWEC receives over 5,000 visits to its 24/7 emergency rooms each year, of which 800 require inpatient care. Set up as a general hospital, CIWEC has a notable reputation for treating high-altitude and extreme-cold medical conditions and is already well-known to key IAG Core Partners.

Under the directorship of Dr Prativa Pandey, the medical team blends a range of international and adventure experiences to serve the diverse inbound community. Dr Pandey is a past President of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM), was initially trained in India, and has 10 years of residency experience in the USA.

Nepal is an extraordinary destination. In addition to the natural wonders of the Himalayan Mountains attracting mountaineers and trekkers, Nepal also boasts rich spiritual sites, including the birthplace of Buddha, plus other sites significant to Hindus. Over 1 million visitors are attracted each year, drawn from across the globe.

MCI Latam: New Core Partner for Dominican Republic

Paris, France, 19 January 2026 -We are thrilled that our Spanish Assistance Partner, MCI Assist, has successfully established an office in the Dominican Republic (MCI Latam), which has attained our valued Core Partner status.

After many years of experience in the Spanish-speaking Latin American market, the establishment of a permanent office in the Dominican Republic includes investments in modern offices, MCI’s cutting-edge technology, and local training.

‘MCI has been a valued and active partner within the International Assistance Group for assistance and medical cost containment for several years,’ commented Louise Heywood, IAG’s General Manager. ‘We are so delighted that they have passed our Core Partner ISO 9001 vetting standards and will be our focal point in the Dominican Republic.’

MCI’s Latin America office was inaugurated in December 2024 and forms part of a significant expansion in medical cases, telemedicine support and third-party administration. In the two years leading up to the opening of their new offices, growth across various activities over 75% and the provider network grew threefold.

With a keen focus on quality standards and compliance, the new operation adheres to ISO 9001, 27001, and 14001, as well as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Dominican Republic is an extremely popular tourist destination for both air travellers and the cruise market. In 2025, approximately 11 million visits will be recorded. However, medical cost inflation across Latin America continues to rise significantly, estimated at 12% for 2026. The focus on excellent assistance and cost containment must go hand in hand.

In December 2025, MCI hosted an IAG EduTour in the Dominican Republic. Over five days, the group of IAG Partner medical and operational representatives explored multiple regions of the country, combining professional insight with rich cultural immersion. The group visited hospitals, clinics and air evacuation facilities across the Island.

International Assistance Group’s global doctor house call capacity grows with Comfort Health

Paris, France, 4 December 2025 – We are delighted to announce that Comfort Health has been appointed as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to the International Assistance Group, which will expand our doctor house call capacity in 66 countries globally.

Established 10 years ago with a focus on both underserved and urban communities in Latin America, the organisation has grown to span the Americas, parts of Europe, and Oceania.

In addition to doctor house call services, Comfort Health has developed into the area of telemedicine with the ability to issue medical prescriptions in 38 countries.

‘The modern traveller demands more options than a referral to a busy family doctor or an emergency room with more urgent priorities,’ commented IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘The appointment of Comfort Health is another sign of our commitment to expanding our network of partners and providers to meet that evolving challenge.’

With 24/7 alarm centres in Uruguay and Argentina, Comfort Health deals with over 4,000 patients each year through its network of over 1,000 medical providers serving business and leisure travellers, as well as expatriate communities.

In addition to passing the IAG’s ISO 9001 vetting process, Comfort Health already has established relationships with five key partners within the IAG.

London-based ground and air ambulance provider, SkyCare, joins the International Assistance Group as an Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 10 November 2025 – We are pleased to announce that SkyCare Repatriation Ltd has successfully joined the International Assistance Group as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) after completing our ISO 9001 vetting process.

Operating from London Biggin Hill Airport, SkyCare’s ground ambulance fleet facilitates quick transfers to hospitals in Greater London and throughout Southeast England, supporting assistance companies, embassies, air ambulance providers, and insurance companies in the provision of medical repatriations.

The SkyCare fleet includes the Pilatus PC‑12 NGX air ambulance, a versatile, ICU-equipped fixed-wing aircraft optimised for critical care at altitude, making it suitable for neonatal to adult transfers across Europe and beyond. Additionally, their fleet of 60 road vehicles, including 20 specially equipped high-dependency ambulances (HDU), enables SkyCare to provide 24/7 bed-to-bed medical transport, including private air ambulance services, medical escort flights, commercial stretcher flights, and ground ambulance transfers, all of which are overseen by their team of experienced flight doctors and critical care medics.

‘With the United Kingdom, and London in particular, being a significant holiday and business destination, SkyCare gives our partners and providers a valuable choice in their ground and air ambulance options,’ explained IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood.

SkyCare Repatriation Ltd is regulated by both the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the UK’s Care Quality Commission (CQC), the national independent regulator for health services.

London alone represents over 50% of the inbound travel market and welcomes 20 million overnight visitors each year, served by five international airports and the Eurostar train. With a culturally diverse population of 9 million, residents play an essential part in outbound travel, whether it is for holiday, business, or visiting friends and family. In total, the UK outbound travel market accounts for nearly 90 million trips annually.

Hawkers flying out of Denmark: SmuuthCare joins International Assistance Group as Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 28 October 2025 – Adding to the International Assistance Group’s (IAG) regional and long-range air ambulance capability, we are delighted to welcome Danish-based SmuuthCare as our newest air ambulance Accredited Service Provider.

‘SmuuthCare’s capability, expertise and geographic position reinforces our diverse range of air ambulance options,’ commented IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She went on to say: ‘With the expanding needs of travellers, it is essential that the International Assistance Group maintains well-placed providers able to respond to a wide variety of demanding challenges.’

Well-known for their capacity and long-range reach, SmuuthCare operate two Hawker 800XPs capable of carrying up to two ICU plus one standard stretcher case, each. Furthermore, a unique partnership with Global Medical Air Crew (GMAC) ensures that specialist aeromedical teams are available to work with complex cases ranging from pre-neonatal through to ECMO.

Located at Billund International Airport in Denmark, their aircraft have a scope that encompasses the Nordic region and the rest of Europe, as well as North America, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

IAG’s Accredited Service Provider status (ASP) is only granted after an ISO 9001-approved vetting process. Although not compulsory, an essential element of SmuuthCare’s application was holding EURAMI accreditation.

SmuuthCare is part of Danish regional charter airline, SUN Air, operating 8 Dornier jets from the same location and with a history as a franchise operator for British Airways.

UIA: Taiwan’s leading assistance company joins International Assistance Group as Core Partner

Paris, France, 24 September 2025, We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our exclusive Core Partner network with the recent addition of Union International Assistance (UIA).

Covering over 60% of the Taiwanese travel insurance market, UIA is also the sole medical assistance provider to the three insurers that include air ambulance cover within their packages.

‘Having such a prominent player in a strong travel market is one of the essential elements of Core Partner status within the International Assistance Group, ’ stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘ We look forward to UIA being a key contributor to all aspects of our work to grow capability and quality.’

From their beginning as a ground ambulance network in 1989 UIA established itself as a regional player in 2008 and expanded to cover outbound travellers in 2015. Today, their inbound clients include some of the most well-known organisations in the global assistance industry. UIA is used for a broad scope of assistance needs ranging from routine payments, translations, and second opinions up to complex cases linked to medical transport by air.

UIA’s Core Partnership membership was confirmed after passing IAG’s ISO 9001 vetting process, which included peer review from other Core Partners. Their 24/7 alarm centre with 33 employees acts as a focal point for the needs of both inbound and outbound travellers.

While inbound tourists (approximately 6.5 million visitors) make a significant contribution to Taiwan’s economy, the Taiwanese sense of diverse experiences fuels 12 million outbound trips, with a growing number visiting Europe and North America.