A 30-year reflection on international assistance. Gualtiero Ventura, founder of the International Assistance Group, shared how the group has evolved over the years

The International Assistance Group (IAG) was founded by three small companies in 1992, who sought to provide high-quality services to travellers by building a global network that leveraged the strength of local provider knowledge and resources.

Thirty years on, it is the world’s largest alliance of independent assistance companies, with over 160 partners in 120 countries across five continents. The IAG network delivers roadside, medical, travel, corporate and home assistance for business and leisure travellers, expatriate workers and corporate clients.

To mark the company’s 30th anniversary, we spoke with one of the Group’s founding partners, Gualtiero Ventura from the International Care Company in Italy (originally Filo Diretto). Gualtiero reflects on the past three decades, how it all started, and what he thinks the future looks like for IAG.

 

What prompted the establishment of IAG 30 years ago?

 

We [International Care Company] were a small company in Italy and had to compete with the large assistance companies. So, we came up with the idea of setting up an international network that gave us the potential to work better alongside larger companies – and extend our reach to ultimately deliver better value to customers. Fundamentally, it was about local partnerships and global solutions.

 

 

Was there a particular moment, conversation or event where your story began?

Yes. I had sent a team to an Egyptian hospital and at the same time a French assistance company, CGS, had sent a team as well. During this mission, the doctors of course met each other. After learning this, I thought it seemed impractical to send two medical teams, from different organisations with the same purpose, to the same hospital. I called the President of CGS and asked him: ‘Why don’t we send one talented team on
behalf of both our companies and increase our efficiencies?’ From there, IAG began.

 

 

What was the industry need/driving factor from partners?

A quality, international network was our priority. The idea was to have one network for smaller assistance companies that didn’t have international branches, and who weren’t already connected to larger insurance companies. We met our first partner, CGS in France, and shared our idea to create our own network that would be able to send assistance teams around the world. A single mission for both companies was the initial idea.

 

 

What organisations were instrumental in founding the IAG?

In the beginning, the group was made up of ADA in Spain, CGS in France, and Filo Diretto in Italy, followed by partnerships with assistance companies in the UK, Switzerland and Amsterdam. After a year or so of operating, we appointed a General Manager to oversee operations and drive the group’s advancement. After that, our network grew very fast.

 

 

What was the original vision and core purpose for the IAG? How has this changed over time?

What we envisioned in 1992 has led us to create the IAG that is today. There haven’t been many changes in terms of purpose and vision. We have always focused on a quality, international network that draws upon the strength and knowledge of local providers. That’s very important to us and has remained so for 30
years.

 

In the early years, what do you believe most attracted partners to join IAG – and has this changed over time?

What attracted organisations was the ability to be part of an international group and access to a broader
clientele. For example, International Care Company in Italy, that I’m very proud to have set up, doesn’t have any other branches outside of Italy. So, for our company to be part of IAG allows us to compete on international tenders alongside large assistance companies. As a smaller sized company, we also benefit from the marketing of our business and services by IAG to a global audience.

 

 

As a founding partner, what moments or achievements are you most proud of?

When I was young and IAG only had three member companies, I couldn’t imagine we’d see over 100 different assistance companies being part of the group as there are today. In the beginning, our goal was to create a small association to attend locally to clients. Now we bring together many different cultures and can compete with large assistance companies and participate in international tenders for companies like Tesla. I’m very proud of this.

 

Where and how do you see the International Assistance Group in another 30 years’ time?

The market is changing, and this includes the needs of our clients and the way people travel. The pandemic has been traumatic and the assistance industry has changed. Now there’s client demand for technology rather than traditional assistance, meaning that digital or telehealth services are needed even more in the future. We’re putting all our ideas and information together to make sure we continue to offer relevant and vital services to our clients in the long term.

AMI Global Assistance strengthens expansion plans by joining International Assistance Group as a Core Partner

 


Paris, France, October 21st, 2022 – The International Assistance Group (IAG) is delighted to announce that specialist assistance provider AMI Global Assistance recently passed the stringent vetting process to become a Core Partner.

 

Part of the AMI Group of Companies (voted Best Medical Provider at the 2021 ITIJ Awards), AMI Global Assistance (AMI-GA) provides world-class healthcare solutions and medical assistance services specializing in underserved, austere and conflicted environments. Clients include international Fortune 500 companies, government entities, NGOs and world-renowned charities.


‘The trust our clients have in AMI-GA’s capabilities means that they are now looking to us to provide that exceptional support on a global scale,’ explained Randy Cook, AMI-GA’s Chief Executive. ‘Our aim is to be an asset to IAG wherever we have a presence or solid knowledge. As we expand, we very much look forward to working with IAG’s Partners and correspondents to deliver quality solutions for our clients.’


AMI-GA Operations Manager, Sharon Solomon, reinforced the importance of the partnership with IAG commenting, ‘I have previous experience working closely with IAG, its partners and network. This level of collaboration is invaluable when faced with challenging or complex cases.’


‘We are pleased to welcome AMI-GA to increase our resources in complex areas that have been challenging for our existing network’, added Louise Heywood, IAG’s General Manager.


With a heritage rooted in 10+ years of outstanding global medical, transport and aviation assistance services, the AMI Group of Companies’ on-the-ground approach means many people are deployed in the field and have first-hand expertise in the realities of face-to-face encounters, negotiating solutions and facilitating or providing medical treatment.


AMI has its own hospitals in Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Libya, but with its global head office located in Reston, Virginia (just outside Washington DC), a new 24/7 alarm centre in London and an aviation hub in Malta, AMI-GA is ideally situated to build on its African roots and, in partnership with IAG, support its clients globally.


AMI-GA holds ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001 Environment Management and ISO 45001 Health & Safety Management. The AMI-GA Operations team also train to the ISO 31030 Travel Risk Management Standard (TRM), which is included in our comprehensive integrated management system.



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About the International Assistance Group


The International Assistance Group is the world’s largest alliance of over 160 independent assistance companies, service providers, and correspondents dedicated to world-class global assistance service and cross-border collaboration on behalf of insurers and travellers.

We combine our shared global values and collective expertise with local market and cultural knowledge, united by a common desire to help travellers in trouble anywhere, at any time. Together, we deliver high-quality medical, roadside, travel, corporate, security, and home assistance services to business and leisure travellers, as well as expatriates, and large corporations. Our philosophy ‘local partners, global solutions’ underpins our mission, to enable our partners to always deliver world-class assistance, wherever their customers are.

 


About AMI Global Assistance


AMI Global Assistance (AMI-GA), part of the AMI Group of Companies, is rooted in 10+ years of world-class healthcare solutions and medical assistance services specializing in underserved, austere and conflicted environments. We provide acute care and agile proprietary medical, transport and aviation assistance services through innovative tech-forward tools. We serve international Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and world-renowned NGOs and charities. We break down barriers and support fair access to quality, clinical care for today’s travellers, including the globally mobile, and those on professional international assignments and missions. We partner with our customers, patients and the healthcare and assistance communities to achieve optimal health and cost management outcomes.



International Assistance Group: Sustainability Sustained

Paris, France-  October 3, 2022, Confirming our commitment to corporate social responsibility, the International Assistance Group is delighted to announce the confirmation of our Lucie Label accreditation.

Aligned to the international standard for corporate social responsibility, ISO 26000, an external audit was successfully passed on the key themes of: Governance and transparency, respect for individuals, quality of work life, protection of the environment, ethical practices, responsible products and services, and commitment to the common interest.

‘The confirmation of our accreditation not only demonstrates our commitment but also a continued journey of improvement in an ever-changing world’, stated International Assistance Group’s general manager, Louise Heywood.

President of Lucie  Label, Alan Fustec, adds: ‘It is not easy to tell the difference between those who only talk about corporate responsibility and those who have a real and serious commitment. This is now possible with Lucie.’

Initially awarded in 2020, ongoing assessment ensures that principles, obligations and processes are bedded within the first three-year life-cycle. The confirmation validates the International Assistance Group to October 2023.

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International Assistance Group

The International Assistance Group is the world’s largest alliance of over 160 independent assistance companies, service providers and correspondents dedicated to world-class global assistance service and cross-border collaboration on behalf of insurers and travellers. We combine our shared global values and collective expertise with local market and cultural knowledge, united by a common desire to help travellers in trouble anywhere, at any time. Together, we deliver high-quality medical, roadside, travel, corporate, security, and home assistance services to business and leisure travellers, as well as expatriates and large corporations.

LUCIE

Established in 2007, the LUCIE Label 26000 recognises an organisation’s commitment to social responsibility through guidelines set in the ISO 26000 standard. LUCIE develops solutions to help an organisation to further their commitment and responsibilities through thematic labels such as ENVOL, the Responsible Digital label or Biodiversity Progress. The LUCIE community comprises of over 800 organisations sharing the same desires and values: to make it fairer and more respectful of people and their territories. Our mission: To give organisations the means to become players with a positive impact. https://agence-lucie.com

International Assistance Group Global Forum to mark 30 years of delivering world class assistance

International Assistance Group Global Forum tomark 30 years of delivering world class assistance International Assistance Group Global Forum tomark 30 years of delivering world class assistance PRESS RELEASE International Assistance Group Global Forum to mark 30 years of delivering world class assistance PARIS, FRANCE: The world’s largest alliance of international assistance companies, the International Assistance […]

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About Monkeypox

About Monkeypox

 

In July 2022, The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the current monkeypox epidemic a global
health emergency of international concern – the highest level of alert. Monkeypox is a viral disease that
occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.

The current outbreak is unlike any previous one outside of Africa because there is sustained person-to-person transmission of the infection. As of July 2022, there have been over 16,800 confirmed infections in 74 countries that have not historically reported monkeypox cases. Most infections have been reported from Europe. The majority of infections have been in men who have sex with men, especially men who have sex with multiple partners.i

Currently there are no countries that have implemented travel restrictions or bans related to monkeypox. However, some countries have introduced either isolation requirements or recommendations for those who test positive or have been a known contact of a positive patient. The list of countries includes Belgium, UK, Netherlands, UAE, Canada and St. Lucia. While more countries may adapt isolation requirements for those who become positive or exposed, there is little indication broad travel restrictions will be instituted by countries due to this virus.

Signs and symptoms

Clinical presentation of Monkeypox can include with fever, headache, exhaustion, rash and swollen lymph nodes and symptoms last from 2-4 weeks. In some cases, monkeypox can lead to a range of medical complications and fatality (approximately 3-6% of cases).ii

The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox (which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980). Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness. A vaccine developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox. However, vaccine availability is currently limited.iii

Prevention
Given the recent spread of the virus and the limited vaccine availability, prevention is essential to managing monkeypox. The virus is spread from person-to-person via:
• Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
• Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
• Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
• Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

Take the following steps to prevent getting monkeypox:
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox
• Practice safe sex using condoms
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread monkeypox virus, usually rodents, marsupials and primates and refrain from eating or handling wild game (bush meat). Avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched.iv

If you suspect you have monkeypox
To prevent virus transmission, contact tracing and isolation are the main tactics to control the outbreak. If you think you have the virus please:
• Report to a health professional any illness during travel or upon return from central and west Africa
• Consult your doctor if you have any unusual rash or lesions
• Avoid touching your lesions or rashes
• Isolate until symptoms have resolved – if you need to leave isolation you should cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask
• Reach out to anyone you’ve had close physical contact with and let them know about your symptoms.v

More information
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
https://search.cdc.gov/search/?query=monkeypox&dpage=1
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/25/monkeypox-emergency-who-disease

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i Monkeypox: World Health Organization declares it a global health emergency – here’s what that means (theconversation.com)
ii Monkeypox (who.int)
iii https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/25/monkeypox-emergency-who-disease
iv Prevention | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
v How To Prevent Monkeypox: A Guide for Travelers – Test for Travel

International Assistance Group expands its network in LATAM and the Caribbean with the addition of Comfort Health

Paris – France, December 15, 2021 – Delivering an additional layer of medical resources across Latin America and the Caribbean, we are delighted to have selected Comfort Health as an Accredited Service Provider for doctor house call visits. Helping to reduce the inconvenience, cost and discomfort of travelling across an unfamiliar location and negotiating local […]

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