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Successfully navigating MEA

Assistance & Repatriation
1 May 2026 | Editorial Team
Featured in ITIJ 304 | May 2026
Sponsored by Connex Assistance
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CONNEX Assistance

Lara Helmi, Managing Director of CONNEX Assistance, talks to ITIJ about working across challenging regions, cost containment, and what’s next for the business

CONNEX Assistance operates across the Middle East and Africa, where political, economic, and healthcare conditions can vary significantly – how does the company adapt its operations to remain effective in such dynamic environments?

With nearly 30 years of experience, CONNEX Assistance has successfully navigated a wide range of geopolitical and economic challenges across the Middle East and Africa. This longevity has enabled us to build a resilient and adaptable operational model.

A key pillar of our approach is the continuous assessment of healthcare conditions in each country we serve. We closely monitor medical capabilities, infrastructure, and pricing dynamics to ensure that our solutions remain both effective and cost-efficient.

Equally important is our strong reliance on local expertise. By maintaining teams on the ground in every country, we benefit from firsthand insights into regulatory changes, cultural nuances, and evolving risks. This local knowledge allows us to respond quickly and tailor our services to the specific realities of each country.

By combining regional experience, real-time market intelligence, and a robust local presence, we ensure consistent service quality and operational agility, even in highly dynamic environments.

At CONNEX Assistance, cost containment and quality of care go hand in hand

Given your role in emergency medical transport and assistance, how has CONNEX Assistance maintained service continuity during recent global or regional crises (e.g., pandemics or conflicts)?

CONNEX Assistance has built a strong reputation for maintaining service continuity, even in the most challenging circumstances. Central to this is our robust and carefully vetted network of providers, whose reliability has been proven over many years.

We also ensure operational resilience by maintaining multiple solutions in every country. In the event that a provider is unable to deliver during a large-scale crisis, alternative options are immediately available, allowing us to respond without disruption.

During exceptional events such as pandemics or geopolitical unrest, our dedicated crisis management team activates a comprehensive business continuity plan. This structured approach enables us to adapt quickly, coordinate effectively, and maintain the high level of service our clients expect.

Our track record speaks for itself. CONNEX Assistance has successfully sustained operations through major events including the Arab Spring, the Covid-19 pandemic, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

By combining strong partnerships, contingency planning, and experienced crisis management, we ensure continuity and reliability when it matters most.

How does CONNEX Assistance balance cost containment with delivering high-quality medical and travel support, especially in regions with limited infrastructure?

At CONNEX Assistance, cost containment and quality of care go hand in hand. We work with a network of carefully audited providers, ensuring that medical standards and capabilities are fully assessed before any cost considerations come into play.

For each case, having multiple qualified options allows us to select solutions that are both appropriate and cost-effective. Our experienced cost-containment team plays a key role in negotiating fair and sustainable pricing.

In remote areas, where infrastructure and providers are limited, we deploy our cost containment expertise and always maintain the ability to relocate patients to a better equipped area when necessary.

During exceptional events such as pandemics or geopolitical unrest, our dedicated crisis management team activates a comprehensive business continuity plan

Looking ahead, what investments or innovations is CONNEX Assistance prioritising to strengthen resilience and improve response times across its network?

For CONNEX Assistance, strengthening resilience is built around three key pillars. The first is continued investment in advanced information systems and innovative AI-driven solutions, aimed at better integrating our assistance network, enhancing coordination, and improving overall response times.

The second pillar is the ongoing development of our teams. We place strong emphasis on continuous training, ensuring our staff remain aligned with best industry practices and are fully equipped to respond effectively in complex and evolving situations.

The third pillar is expanding our geographical coverage and footprint as our volumes and client demand increases.

By combining technology-driven innovation with highly skilled teams, we are reinforcing our ability to deliver faster, more reliable assistance across our expanding network.

Lara Helmi

Managing Director and Co-Founder, CONNEX Assistance Middle East

Lara is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of CONNEX Assistance Middle East – the leading provider of full service assistance in the region. Since its inception in 1999, Lara has led the company’s expansion to operate in 14 countries across the Middle East and Africa through a vast network of providers.

ITIJ 304 May Cover

May 2026
 Issue

Welcome to your May ITIJ. This month we look into partnerships and affinity deals and we ask where in the world these insurance distribution channels are working most effectively; plus we consider medevac and assistance from Africa – exploring the opportunity for tailored medevac and medical assistance solutions designed specifically for the region.

Read full issue
Assistance & Repatriation
1 May 2026
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Editorial Team

The Editorial Team updates the ITIJ website daily, and works on features for the print edition. With expert industry knowledge and years of experience in writing about complex travel insurance issues, the Editorial Team is ready to investigate and report on the topics that matter most to ITIJ's readers.

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