Palau Health Insurance

The Republic of Palau (sometimes referred to as Belau or Pelew) is one of the youngest sovereign states. It is made up of several islands and is located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 800 kilometres from the Philippines and 3,200 kilometres from Tokyo. It gained independence in 1994 from the United States after declining to become part of the Federated States of Micronesia. It is a small island nation with approximately 21,000 inhabitants. The official languages are English and Palauan. Tobian, Sonsorolese and Japanese are also recognised languages.

Tourists are attracted to the islands’ snorkelling and scuba diving destinations which includes barrier reef walls, World War II wrecks and a rich marine ecosystem. One of the most famous dive spots is the Blue Corner which is less than one hour’s boat ride from many of the resorts and home to many sharks. Palau also has jellyfish lakes which contain jellyfish without stingers; they can be viewed during snorkelling. The country was made famous by the Survivor television series. It has featured many times in the Survivor series including Survivor: Palau in 2005 which aired in the United States.

The President of Palau is both the head of State and head of the Government. Palau has a Compact of Free Association (CFA) with the United States which allows the United States military access to Palau to protect it and the United States Coast Guard to patrol the beaches. The Palau Government relies heavily on financial assistance from the United States. The CFA provides the country with up to $700 million of United States aid for the next 15 years in return to providing military facilities.

The country is divided into sixteen states, the capital city is Melekeok. The most populated islands are Peleliu, Angaur, Babeldaob and Koror with two thirds of the country’s population living on Koror. A group of six islands called the Southwest islands which are located 604 kilometres from Palau’s main islands are also part of the country’s territory.

The weather in Palau is tropical and averages 28 degrees Celsius and 82 percent humidity all year around. Rain falls heavily throughout the year but more frequently between the months of May and November. Rising sea levels pose a threat to the country’s water supply, vegetation and agriculture. In 2005 an initiative was started to conserve the country’s forest land and near shore coastal waters. In 2009 a shark sanctuary was created by way of banning commercial shark fishing.

Palau’s economy relies on agriculture, fishing and tourism. The country also produces tapioca, coconuts, copra, sweet potatoes, craft items and garments. In 2004 an estimated $5.882 million of costs were exported being primarily tuna, shellfish, copra and garments. The Government is the country’s main employer.

Palau Health Care and Health Insurance

The medical facilities in Palau are only equipped to deal with routine medical care. If you suffer a serious medical condition while holidaying in Palau you may need to be evacuated to the United States or a nearby country. The cost of medical evacuation can be significant so travellers should ensure that it is included in their Palau medical insurance plan. In 2009 11.2 percent of Palau’s GDP was spent on healthcare and there were 4.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. In 2006 there were 1.3 Doctors per 1,000 people.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for health care services in Palau; its top priority is providing “health for all”. The system is largely funded by grants from the United States and United Nations agencies. The country is suffering from a lack of medical personnel as it bought in a compulsory retirement law which lead to many staff members leaving the profession. High school students are being encouraged to train and work in the health care sector by way of financial grants.

The main medical facility in Palau is the Belau National Hospital in Koror (telephone: 680 488 2552) which was built with United States funding. The hospital has a hyperbaric chamber for divers, an operating suite, a dialysis machine and an outpatient clinic. The hospital can be reached in less than two hours from most of the country’s islands.

The quality of the medical care available in other part of the country varies depending on which island you are on. Four community health centres, called super dispensaries, provide health care services to the population. Three of the centres are located on the island of Babeldaob and one on the island of Peleliu. Four smaller satellite clinics service the outer lying areas of Palau. Two private clinics in Palau also offer medical facilities one being Palau Medical Centre (telephone: 680 488 2687) in Koror.

Palau Travel Insurance Concerns

Palau is a safe country to visit and tourists need not be worried walking around the islands at night. However, do exercise common sense and not be complacent. Palau is home to saltwater crocodiles which can be found in mangroves and in parts of the rock islands. The species of crocodiles is extremely dangerous so tourists should be careful in these areas. Bull sharks are also common so take care if you are scuba diving or snorkelling.

The country can only realistically be reached by air. Flights depart from Japan, the Philippines, the United States, Taiwan and South Korea. Be sure to check for the latest schedule and many airlines have stopped and started flights to Palau from numerous countries over the last few years. A departure tax of US$35 will need to be paid when you depart Palau. When you arrive in the country you may choose to rent a car or use the widely available local taxis. Accommodation on the islands ranges from guest houses to world class resorts.

The capital city of Melekeok is located on the island of Babeldaob it can be accessed by road from the larger city and former capital Koror. Tourists can find souvenirs and Palauan story boards, which are traditional wood carvings depicting local myths and legends, for sale in Koror. If you have access to a boat the outer islands of Fana, Sonsorol, Helen Reef, Meriil and Hatohobei are worth visiting.

The currency in Palau is the US dollar which can be accessed from ATMS in Koror. Major credit cards can also be used in popular tourist areas. Travellers need to be aware that a curfew is in place in Koror from 2.30 – 5am Monday to Thursday and 4 – 6am Friday, Saturday and public holidays. If you require assistance from emergency services in Palau please telephone 911.

Visitors to Palau should ensure their childhood vaccinations are up to date including, measles/mumps/rubella, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus and polio. It is also advisable to be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. Travellers should take precautions to ensure that they are not bitten by mosquitoes that spread diseases. An insect repellent which contains the active ingredient DEET should be used, as well as long sleeved tops, trousers and a mosquito net over your bed. In 2000 and 2008 cases of dengue fever were reported which is caused by Aedes mosquito bites.

Palau Expat Health Insurance

Palau is a beautiful country for tourists to visit however the medical facilities only offer basic care. We recommend that a medical insurance plan with medical evacuation be purchased before you travel to Palau. At Expat Medical Insurance we specialise in medical and travel insurance for every country in the world. Please contact us today and we will arrange for a free quotation that suits you and your families specific needs.