Kiribati Health Insurance

The Republic of Kiribati is a small nation in South Pacific with 33 islands resting on the equator and about 103,000 residents. Formerly a British colony, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands gained autonomy in 1971 and further dissection in 1979 granted Kiribati sovereignty as the country it is today. Life is not easy in this seemingly tropical paradise as Kiribati is on of the least developed and poorest countries in the world. Trade and exports are very weak, almost all foodstuffs and consumables must be imported, per-capita incomes are low, agriculture is difficult, natural resources are scarce, and the government perennially relies on foreign aid for the majority of its support. Add to these woes the issue of constant erosion and land loss due to rising sea levels which threaten to potentially wash the islands off the map within the next half century, and it is easy to see why the government is busy making arrangements for surrounding nations to take its people in as climate refugees over the next few decades.

Kiribati Health System

Despite foreign aid donations ear-marked for development and improvements in quality of life in Kiribati in excess of US$95 million from 2009 to 2011, conditions remain poor. Increasing national debt, very slow economic growth, and a general opinion that the country will soon no longer exist have made solid investments into improving healthcare in the country slow.

All medical care in Kiribati is public, offered at highly subsidized rates to citizens. Although this has done little to improve the general health. A fast growing population, high cost of import for needed medicines, materials and equipment, poor education and poor average health are putting a huge strain on the country’s already weak health system. Communicable diseases such as dengue fever, hepatitis, tuberculosis, water borne parasites and typhoid are rampant. The average life expectancy is low at only 60 years, and medical offerings at the approximately 90 health centers and clinics and four hospitals is limited at best. Thanks to support from the Cuban government, a number of well-trained Cuban doctors have been sent to Kiribati to assist in providing much needed training and expertise to the country’s medical professionals. As a result of their efforts; infant and maternal mortality have been greatly reduced in the last two years adding proof to the statement that higher quality care is needed and would be effective.

One bright spot for residents of the southern islands of the country is a new healthcare facility, Tabiteuea North Hospital, which opened in 2005 on North Tabiteuea Island. The new hospital supported in part by the Taiwanese government and has helped to take the strain of expense off of the government. In additional to that hospital, the country has three other hospitals located in and around the capital, Tarawa. While still limited in its capabilities, the hospitals offer basic diagnostics, limited secondary treatment, birthing assistance, and some surgical capabilities. The largest and most capable treatment facility is on Tarawa at the Nawerewere Hospital, however the offerings and conditions are still meager.

For those requiring specialists’ care or complex treatments will most likely require referral abroad for care. Distances from Kiribati to the nearest hospitals of medical excellent are very immense; approximately 4,500 kilometers to Australian or New Zealand and over 3,000 kilometers to Hawaii. Fiji can handle many serious cases and is somewhat closer at 1,200 kilometers. Due to the very limited capabilities of the Kiribati health system, tourists and expats are strongly urged to take out emergency air-ambulance or repatriation service coverage as the cost for this service without insurance can be huge.

Kiribati Medical Insurance

Thanks primarily to generous charitable funding, Kiribatians have access to their public healthcare system at very low rates, so while no formal Kiribati social health insurance system is in place, this serves as a coverage plan in its own right. For all tourists, visitors and expatriates it is highly advisable to purchase comprehensive medical insurance which includes air transports services for the entire extent of your stay, as the local care leaves much to be desired and when emergencies arise, the last thing anyone should have to deal with is arranging private payment for services or treatment.

Traveler's Information

Air travel is the only realistic means of transit to Kiribati, given its isolated location; only a few regional carriers serve the country. Visa requirements vary depending on your country of residence, and visitors should contact a Kiribati Consulate office for full details. Currency used in Kiribati is the Australian Dollar. No ATM machines are available and few international banking operate in the country; it is advised to bring Australian Dollars prior to travel. Other advisable items to bring along are sunscreen, insect repellant, diarrhea medication, and any prescription drugs you require, as all of these items are in very short supply throughout Kiribati's 20 inhabited islands. Petty crime is common, especially in Tarawa, and visitors should be cautious of their belongings and avoid walking alone at night.

Sanitary sewer service is not widely available and fecal related diseases are thus commonplace. Practice vigilant personal hygiene to avoid exposure. Fresh water is in short supply, as groundwater is heavily contaminated with saltwater due to rising seas, and rainfall has been very irregular in recent years. All tap water should be boiled prior to drinking and all bottled water should have an intact tamper-proof seal.

Despite the inviting appearance of the clear blue seas surrounding Kiribati, pollution is a major problem. Sewers and other waste is typically discharged directly into the ocean without treatment. Swimming should only be done in areas near deep water with large tidal movement. Other annoyances include swarms of mosquitoes year round, thus insect repellant and sleeping nets are necessary.

Due to risk of disease, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all travelers consider vaccines against typhoid, hepatitis A and B and tetanus, along with all routine vaccinations. Additionally, Kiribati requires all persons over age one arriving from countries with high occurrence of yellow fever to present an immunization certificate prior to grant of entry.

Expat Medical Insurance

Locations of such a remote nature as Kiribati require special consideration and preparation prior to visiting or relocating. High on the list of necessary items should be a comprehensive Kiribati Medical Insurance package or an International Health Insurance plan with emergency evacuation coverage to ensure access to adequate care should an unexpected illness or accident occur. Expat Medical Insurance offers a wide array of coverage options for Kiribati and all other locations around the globe and has expert consultants available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and provide full details regarding coverage and cost, and will assist you in accessing medical care after purchase. Contact us today to find out more about a customized plan to fit your specific needs.