Honduras Health Insurance

Central America’s second-largest country is Honduras with an estimated population of 8.1 million. Honduras shares borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, and like its neighbours, is experiencing remarkable economic change and development through an expanding tourism sector and maturing political scene.

Family is central to the Honduran way of life, with a strong emphasis placed on loyalty. Family ties are explicitly linked to social identity and expected to result in assistance in business and easing one’s path through government bureaucracy. Spanish is the official language, however English is habitually spoken throughout the Bay Islands, a popular tourist spot for scuba-diving. Affectionately known as “Tegus” by locals, the capital city of Tegucigalpa is the country’s home of Government and the largest and most populous city. It possesses a rich history, remnants of early Spanish colonialism, national parks and boasts a distinct cultural flavour. Despite the country being rich in natural resources of gold, silver, iron ore, zinc, lead and copper to name a few, reportedly half the population is living below the international poverty line.

Boasting the second largest coral reef on the planet, nature provides many draw-cards for visitors, from white-sand beaches to volcanic lakes, waterfalls and world-class bird-watching. Jungle lowlands, coastal plains and mountainous areas form much of the country’s vast and interesting landscape. Scattered throughout the country are some of Central America’s best Mayan archaeological tombs and temples, the most renowned being the Copán ruins. While the country’s tourism industry is growing and adventure travellers can enjoy canopy tours, scuba diving, white-water rafting and kayaking, there is no oversight by authorities for which operators much adhere to safety standards. Given the inherent risk of death or injury associated with such activities as well as little or no regulatory functions with regard to tourist operators, it is recommended that appropriate Honduran medical insurance be arranged prior to travel, and tourists are advised to be diligent in researching qualified operators and potential tour guides.

Honduras Health Care and Insurance

Several challenges afflict the Government in providing adequate healthcare to the Honduran populace. Large sections of the country lack basic healthcare services or a governmental medical presence, and inequality of access to health services prevails throughout the nation. The World Health Organization (WHO) cites various factors, such as poor health information systems, social violence, limited public health training resources and inequality of healthcare access, as compounding the Honduran Government’s challenges in delivering an adequate healthcare system. Assessments of the country from both foreign and domestic sources have focused on poverty, prevalence of disease and the previous unstable political situation which has resulted in little emphasis on public healthcare and improvements in infrastructure.

Access to healthcare in Honduras is directly tied to income, with adequate care available to those who have the ability to pay the higher cost. Those who cannot afford private care endure overcrowded facilities at the public hospitals and urban clinics. Rural health centers operate throughout the country, providing primary care and making referrals as necessary to area and regional hospitals. The regional hospitals provide outpatient and emergency care services as well as the standard pediatric, obstetric and surgery services. A private sector also operates with a number of facilities in the larger cities offering an increased level of care. These services are generally not considered on par with western standards, however, and payment is expected in cash prior to administering of medical care. Shortages of modern equipment and medical personnel do occur, and overseas evacuation to suitable facilities - usually the United States - is required for serious conditions or complex medical cases.

Those living in Honduras and who have higher incomes generally travel to the US for specialty care, cardiac or oncology services. As the cost of evacuation is considerable and treatment in the US is expensive, it is recommended that an international health insurance plan be obtained, which includes cover for the US and for repatriation and evacuation.

Perhaps reflective of the country’s level of healthcare is the disheartening life expectancy of an estimated 68 years for males and 72 years for females (2011). Widespread malnutrition and a lack of access to potable water and sanitation facilities are all contributing factors to poor health and spread of disease. A lack of preventative measures has seen previously controlled infectious diseases such as influenza, typhoid and malaria return in force.

The rapid and continuing spread of HIV/AIDS also poses a public health threat and significant risk in Honduras. Foreign aid agencies collaborate with local NGO’s in testing the most-at-risk of the population, strengthening monitoring systems and work toward prevention of the spread of the disease. Studies point to the severe weakness in treatment and quality of care of those living with HIV/AIDS in Honduras, and signal that appropriate precautions should be taken if engaging in risky behaviour or activities which expose individuals to the infection.

Expat medical insurance should be arranged in the event one falls ill or is injured while visiting the country or is exposed to disease through medical treatment. Emergency services are available, but are still limited in the major cities. The national emergency line can be contacted by dialing 199, and the local Red Cross contacted on 195.

Honduras Insurance Concerns

In June 2010, the Honduran Government declared a state of emergency due to an increase in the number of dengue fever cases; a sometimes fatal disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Regular outbreaks occur and as no pre-exposure vaccine exists for dengue, protective measures are recommended in order to avoid being bitten. These include using insect repellent regularly, covering exposed skin and sleeping in air-conditioned accommodation. Other mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria are also an ongoing problem. Travellers to the northern areas of the country are especially at risk, even if only visiting briefly.

Food-borne, water-borne and other infectious diseases are prevalent in Honduras, and travel advisories recommend that travellers should ensure routine immunizations are up-to-date, particularly rubella and measles vaccinations, and see a travel clinic regarding pre-exposure vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, and Typhoid. As of May 2011, the Honduran Government implemented a policy requiring foreign travellers from Europe, North America, Argentina, Africa, Brazil and Chile to show proof of measles and rubella vaccinations prior to entering the country. Likewise, those departing or having transited a country from which yellow fever poses a risk, the Government also requires foreigners to provide proof of immunization. Travel advisories strongly recommend comprehensive Honduras health insurance is taken out to cover any overseas medical expenses.

The climate in Honduras is pleasant and temperate with two distinct dry and wet seasons. Widespread forest fires, as well as agricultural burning during the dry season can impact on air quality throughout Honduras, causing airport closures and respiratory issues in susceptible individuals. Vulnerable to heavy rains, hurricanes, flooding and rockslides, roads including major highways are often closed during the rainy season which extends from June to November. Road conditions can also be hazardous due to heavy commercial traffic, inadequate signage, unmarked streets, poorly lit areas and people and animals wandering onto roads without warning.

Caution should be exercised near the border with Nicaragua due to landmines, although the Honduran side has largely been cleared, minefields are unmarked and it is recommended that only well-used roads be travelled. A high degree of caution is advised for both visitors and residents as crime is endemic in the country, resulting from widespread unemployment and poverty, and escalated by drug cartels and significant street gang activity. According to the United Nations’ global study on homicide, the country has the highest murder rate per capita in the world at 82 murders per 100,000 persons in 2010, ahead of the next closest figure of 66 per 100,000 in El Salvador. The worldwide homicide figure was an average of 6.9 per 100,000 for that same year. Kidnapping, armed robbery and bus/car-jackings affect a number of tourists every year and vigilance is recommended. Opportunist crime is also common. Perceived to be wealthy, foreigners are targeted by criminals and pickpockets as they enter or exit hotels, airports, vehicles and residential accommodation.

Expatriate travel and health insurance should be arranged to replace stolen personal belongings or cover the cost of medical treatment as a result of injury or illness.

Honduras Expat Health Insurance

Medical facilities throughout Honduras do not meet Western standards, and care varies greatly in availability and quality. Outside of the capital, complex medical situations cannot be addressed and medical evacuation is the only option for advanced surgical procedures. Comprehensive expat medical insurance is necessary to avoid expensive medical costs for injury or illness while travelling in Honduras. Expat Medical Insurance has globally transferable policies, and can cover you worldwide and for a range of medical needs. Emergency medical evacuation, specialist consultations, doctors’ fees and medications are standard policy benefits, and to guarantee access to healthcare wherever you are in the world, contact one of Expat Medical Insurance’s consultants to discuss a Honduras medical insurance policy specific to your needs.