Gabon Health Insurance

The Gabonese Republic became independent from France in 1960. The west central African country boasts the highest human development indices in sub Saharan Africa, with revenue from oil exports making up 43 percent of GDP and 46 percent of the government budget. Although spending on social projects like health and education has been marked by inequity and skewed towards wealthier segments of the Gabonese population, oil revenues have raised the standard of health care in the country. While the tiny county has the lowest population density of any sub Saharan African country, the population is made up of at least forty distinct ethnic groups, each with their own language. French remains the official language – spoken and understood by most of the population.

Despite its relative wealth, average life expectancy at birth in Gabon is low: 60 years for men and 64 years for women. Gabon spends just over USD 500 annually per capita on health care, or about 3.5 percent of GDP. Nearly half of this figure represents government expenditure on health care. In Gabon, health insurance provided locally from the private sector is entirely nonexistent; all non-government private health care spending comes from out of pocket.

Gabon Health Insurance and Health Insurance Indicators

Like many developing countries, the majority of Gabon’s burden of disease comes from communicable diseases, which make up 69 percent of total years of life lost in the country. Rates of infection are high. HIV affects 52 of every 1,000 adults, 6.5 times the global average. Tuberculosis affects 603 of every 100,000 Gabonese, or triple the global norm. These rates are both higher than the African regional norm. However, Gabon has invested heavily in antenatal, maternal and infant care and rates of utilisation are much higher than sub Saharan averages. For example, 87 percent of Gabonese births are attended by skilled health care personnel. As a result, maternal mortality rates are far lower than the African regional average and are in line with global norms.

In spite of Gabon’s oil wealth, its investment in public health infrastructure has been very limited. In rural areas, access to improved drinking water sources has actually declined over the past two decades. Similarly, access to improved sanitation facilities has declined across the country. Lack of sanitation and sewage facilities in an equatorial climate such as Gabon are a major contributor to the spread of communicable diseases. Although woefully understaffed by global measures, Gabon’s health care workforce is actually impressive relative to neighbouring countries. While there are only 2.9 doctors for every 10,000 Gabonese, there are 50.2 nurses and midwives. However, the provision of health care in Gabon is marked by serious income inequality, as the wealthiest quintile of Gabonese enjoy access to much better care than the poor. The lack of private Gabon health insurance means that most health care costs not funded by the state come from out of pocket or charitable aid or non-governmental organisations.

Gabon Health Insurance for Tourists and Expatriates

Gabon’s medical care is considered the best in west Africa, but even its few private clinics catering to the elite probably do not measure up to the standard of care in developed countries. With its massive pristine national parks, Gabon is an increasingly popular tourist destination; oil exploration, refinery and related businesses also make Gabon attractive to the business traveler or expatriate. But travelling to equatorial Africa can have serious health risks. There have been a number of outbreaks of ebola and hemorrhagic fever over the past decade in Gabon. The US-based Centre for Disease Control advises updating routine vaccinations, as well as taking injections against hepatitis, typhoid, polio, yellow fever and rabies four to six weeks before arriving in Gabon. Gabon also has a very high incidence of malaria; wearing long sleeved clothing, sleeping under mosquito nets, and using insect repellent with DEET are suggested. Antimalarial medication may be taken on a preventative basis under a physician’s supervision, although this should be done in your home country.

More commonplace, but often no less risky is the traveller’s complaint of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Avoiding raw or undercooked foods and drinking only bottled water can prevent most instances; over the counter medication can be used in acute cases. Persistent symptoms will require a physician’s visit, as dehydration becomes a concern very quickly in Gabon’s tropical heat. Traffic accidents are also an issue, especially for tourists. Obey the local rules of the road and note that Gabonese traffic drives on the right. In most clinics in Gabon, doctors will not provide care without cash in advance or proof of insurance. And in serious medical emergencies, surgeries or terminal illnesses, medical evacuation may be required. Given that there is no local Gabon health insurance, and international health care plan is strongly recommended given the very high costs of transporting a patient abroad.

Gabon Health Insurance and International Health Care Plans

Given the importance of choosing the right international health care plan, finding a trusted advisor to help make your decision is key. With so many different international insurers in the market, selecting the best option can be a daunting task. Fortunately there is Expat Medical Insurance. Our experienced team is available 24 hours per day to answer any international expatriate medical insurance related questions you might have. Expat Medical Insurance offers a range of plans which can include alternative, dental, maternal and even air medical evacuation riders. Contact Expat Medical Insurance today for further details.