Sao Tome and Principe Health Insurance

The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is a two-island nation located about 240 km off the western coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea just above the equator. The two islands have a combined population of approximately 164,000 residents (with 158,000 on Sao Tome, and just 6,000 residing on Principe) and are separated by about 140 km of ocean, making the country quite isolated. Traditionally the economy has been based on agriculture since the first inhabitants were brought over from Africa as slaves to labor in the Portuguese owned sugar plantations. Today agriculture is still extremely important to the economy of Sao Tome, and major crops include coffee, sugar, cocoa, and copra. In line with region, earnings remain low with a per capita income of $1,175 (US), and living conditions are not on par with the developed world.

Blessed with scenic vistas, rugged volcanic mountains, lush vegetation, and the all important white sandy beaches wrapped by warm crystal blue water, the government is putting efforts into enticing more tourists from Europe and North America with hopes of bolstering the economy. In recent years annual growth has been 3-4 percent whereas inflation peaked at 17 percent in 2009, illustrating the need for further regulation. International investment has been weak, and Sao Tome and Principe relies heavily on the charity of wealthier nations for much of their capital and funding for healthcare, education, infrastructure and social services are in sore straits. Recent discoveries of off-shore oil and gas deposits are hoped to bring some much needed economic relief; though, as of December 2011, profitable production is still a few years away.

Sao Tome and Principe Health Insurance and Healthcare

Compared with statistics for other sub-Saharan African nations, general health indicators are relatively decent; this does not, however, mean that there is not significant room for improvement. Average life expectancy has steadily risen to 64 years, and thanks to international support, vaccinations and public awareness have helped to reduce spread of some communicable diseases. Diseases that are still significant killers in Sao Tome and Principe include bacterial diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis and malaria. Other, less fatal illnesses include respiratory infections and waterborne parasites found in fresh water.

Healthcare offerings in Sao Tome and Principe are very basic, due to a shortage of medical staff, widespread poverty, and the country’s small population. The doctor to patient ratio is 49 per 100,000 people. In total there are 32 primary care clinics providing basic medical services, some emergency care and birthing assistance, with the vast majority of services found on Sao Tome given its much larger population.

Two hospitals are available for medical treatments in Sao Tome and Principe. The Dr. Ayres de Menezes Hospital on Sao Tome provides 24-hour emergency care, imaging, pharmacy and basic diagnostic and treatment services; but virtually all critical conditions will require air evacuation to neighboring Gabon. Portugal has signed an agreement to offer assistance for critical care and receives periodic patients as well, and some expatriates prefer to be repatriated to their home country if their condition allows it. The other hospital, Manuel Quaresma Dias da Graça Hospital on Principe, offers similar services, but is much smaller and supplies and equipment are even more basic. In recent years some improvements in the level of care offered have been achieved through implementation of telemedicine consultations with doctors in Portugal and Taiwan who can provide opinions and advice to local physicians via the internet, thus reducing the volume of patients being exported somewhat.

Expatriates and visitors should strongly consider purchasing a comprehensive Sao Tome and Principe medical insurance package which includes emergency air transport coverage for the extent of their stay in the country. Conditions and quality of care are not up to the standards of developed countries, and out of pocket costs for treatment and transport can be astronomical.

Basic healthcare is provided free of charge to all citizens through a government subsidy funded via general taxation and donations toward health spending from foreign aid. This coverage provides Sao Tome and Principe's citizens with much needed access to clinics and hospitals for necessary care that would otherwise would be out of reach for the vast majority due to poverty. For non-residents, private medical insurance is also accepted at public facilities, as well as the few private clinics available on the two islands, to offset the cost of treatment.

Sao Tome and Principe Travel Insurance Information

Climate in Sao Tome and Principe is typical of its equatorial location, perennially hot and humid with large amounts of rainfall, the heaviest of which occurs from late September through May. There are four national languages: Angolar, Principense, French, and Portuguese, which is the most widely spoken. English is not common, though some doctors and medical staff speak basic level English.

All visitors are required to purchase a one year visa from their local Sao Tome and Principe Consulate office, if no office is available in your country, visas are available directly from Sao Tome via email. All travelers entering the country must ensure that their passport is valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Visitors residing in any country with presence of yellow fever are required to present a vaccination card against the disease prior to entry.

Other diseases to consider vaccination against, thought not compulsory, are tuberculosis, typhoid and hepatitis A and B. It is also recommended to bring malaria medication from your home country in the case of appearance of malarial symptoms, as there is no cure to the disease but anti-malarial medications can greatly reduce the severity and length of illness. It is also wise to bring along a sufficient supply of sunscreen, insect repellant, and anti-diarrhea medications as well as any required prescription medications in their original container for the entire extent of your stay as these items can at times be difficult to find.

Improved water supply access is available throughout San Tome, while access to sanitation facilities remains quite low at around 30 percent. Principe on the other hand is still struggling to even provide improved water supply to its residents and basic sanitation is lacking. All visitors should practice diligent personal hygiene, particularly hand washing with anti-bacterial soap or alcohol based sanitizer, and filter or boil their tap water before drinking.

Petty crime is a problem, as is common in poverty stricken lands, always ensure your valuables are securely stored in a safe, otherwise it is usually best to leave non-essentials such as jewelry at home to avoid loss. It is advised however, to bring a sufficient amount cash as very few places will accept credit cards and there are no automatic teller machines. The local currency is the dobra, but due to severe inflation and fluctuation it is almost worthless, as a result Euros and US dollars are widely accepted.

Sao Tome and Principe Expat Medical Insurance

While there is potential for improvements in the future for Sao Tome and Principe, current conditions call for good preparation when planning a vacation to visit or permanently relocating to Sao Tome and Principe. With very limited domestic healthcare resources, you will want to ensure that, come what may, you and your family are always able to access quality medical attention. The best way to do this is by purchasing a Sao Tome and Principe Medical Insurance plan that includes emergency air evacuation coverage from a trusted provider. Expat Medical Insurance is an international insurance broker that will help you take the guess work out of selecting the best plan for your needs while guaranteeing you, our client, the best price possible. Contact one of our knowledgeable advisers today for full coverage details and a free price quote.