Why South America Needs Regional Maritime Medical Case Management: A Strategic Imperative

This article is written by Dr. Arthur Diskin, Global Director of Strategy at AP Companies — a leading provider of regional medical case management services supporting foreign tourists, expatriates, and seafarers in South America.

As a physician with decades of experience in maritime medicine and remote healthcare coordination, I appreciate that decision-makers in the cruise, commercial shipping, and maritime insurance industries recognize a critical need: a dedicated case management presence in South America. This continent presents a unique cluster of medical, logistical, regulatory, political, and infrastructural challenges that can significantly impact the health of guests and crew, as well as the financial and legal exposure of operators and insurers.

South America’s vast geography includes tropical rainforests, high-altitude cities, and remote coastal regions, each with specific medical risks. Travelers are exposed to vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, and leishmaniasis. In higher altitudes, such as those found in Peru or Bolivia, acute mountain sickness and pulmonary edema are not uncommon. Food- and water-borne illnesses, such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Giardia, occur more frequently than in North America or Europe. Vehicular trauma in urban and rural locations, including tour bus accidents, can present with multiple injuries with significant medical and logistical challenges. For cruise guests, exotic excursions may inadvertently place them at higher risk. For the crew, extended port stays in areas with under-resourced medical systems may result in delayed care or inadequate management of chronic conditions.

Chile serves as a prime example of the logistical and medical complexities in South America. With a 4,000-mile coastline and key ports like Valparaíso and Punta Arenas, Chile is a gateway to both Antarctic cruises and Pacific trade routes. While urban centres offer competent medical facilities, care outside these hubs is limited. For example, managing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome—endemic in Chile’s south—or organizing air evacuations over the Andes requires deep regional knowledge and coordination.

AP Companies recently opened a regional case management office in Santiago, Chile, a medically advanced and centrally located city. This new office acts as a command hub that rapidly coordinates care, vets providers, translates medical records, liaises with consulates, and ensures cost-effective, culturally appropriate care. Services offered include 24/7 emergency assistance, telemedicine support, medical evacuation coordination, and chronic disease management tailored to the maritime and tourism sectors (more details at https://apcmaritime.com/).

For cruise lines, this means reducing unnecessary evacuations and avoiding reputational risk. For commercial vessel operators and insurers, it translates to improved claims outcomes, lower costs, and regulatory compliance.

In an environment where hours matter and geography can complicate access, having boots on the ground is not just helpful, it’s essential. South America is a vibrant, diverse, and increasingly important region in maritime operations. Investing in regional case management is a proactive step toward achieving operational resilience, reducing risk, and enhancing duty of care.