Never Give Up Day arrives on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, with a simple but powerful message: setbacks may be part of the journey, but they do not have to decide where the journey ends.
For expatriates and international families in Southeast Asia, that message has a practical side. Staying resilient abroad means protecting your health before you need to use that protection.
Here are five lessons every global citizen can take from Never Give Up Day.
Many people buy insurance only after a frightening experience, a sudden hospital admission, a costly diagnosis or an emergency far from home. But health protection works best when arranged before the crisis.
The WHO recommends that travellers seek health information before departure, consider destination-specific risks and obtain comprehensive travel insurance as part of routine preparation.
Being overseas does not automatically mean every medical expense is insured.
Coverage may depend on:
Some regional IPMI plans offer cover in Southeast Asia, while other plans provide worldwide protection, including options that exclude or include the USA.
This is why “I have international insurance” is only the beginning of the conversation. The more useful question is:
What exactly does my plan cover, where and under what conditions?
When you are sick, comparing hospitals from a taxi queue is not an ideal way to make a healthcare decision.
Global citizens should consider whether their plan offers:
Certain 2026 international plans available in the region include features such as 24/7 medical assistance, teleconsultation, second medical opinion and evacuation or repatriation services, subject to the applicable plan terms.
These services may be particularly valuable when you are unfamiliar with the local healthcare system.
Moving abroad can be exciting, but it can also be lonely, stressful and disorienting. Different languages, customs, time zones and work expectations can take a toll.
The WHO highlights that international travel can involve stress related to being away from family and friends, adapting to unfamiliar cultures and experiencing changes to sleep and routine.
When reviewing health protection, do not look only at hospital benefits. Ask whether the plan includes or offers access to:
Mental wellbeing is not an optional extra in life abroad. It is part of being well.
A policy is most useful when you understand how to use it.
For many plans, the process may involve:
Some policy handbooks specifically require pre-authorisation for in-patient and day-patient treatment, while emergency assistance procedures may apply to evacuation and hospital coordination.
Always follow the exact instructions in your own policy documents. Product features and procedures vary.
On 18 August 2026, ask yourself:
If the answer to any question is “not yet,” that is not failure. It is simply the next task on your resilience list.
Never Give Up Day is a celebration of determination, but determination does not mean refusing support. Sometimes the strongest decision is to prepare, ask questions and build a reliable safety net.
For expatriates, students, families and internationally mobile professionals, International Private Medical Insurance can be an important part of that safety net. The right plan may help you access medical care, manage uncertainty and continue living your global life with greater confidence.
Keep going. Stay curious. Read the fine print. And never leave your health plan at home.
Learn more about international health insurance for global citizens or explore health insurance services for expatriates in Indonesia.
