How does healthcare work in Laos, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Laos?

Laos is one of the poorest countries in the region, this is reflected in the healthcare system. Healthcare is being worked on, but in general it is not of good quality and very limited, both for expats and locals. Facilities for medical emergencies are few.
Healthcare in Laos also varies greatly in quality between urban areas like Vientiane and rural areas, where care is limited.
There is no universal healthcare system, but the government of Laos has set up several different health care systems, for different groups of workers. For example, you have Health Equity Funds (HEFs), Community-based Health Insurance (CBHI), the Social Security Office (SSO) and the State Authority for Social Security (SASS). Unfortunately, only a small portion of the population is covered by these insurances and, in most cases, expatriates are not covered by them.
As expats, it is wise to consider purchasing international health insurance because healthcare can leave much to be desired and medical evacuation is necessary in emergencies.
Pharmacies are usually well stocked and medicines are generally inexpensive. Like other countries in the region, Laos does, however, struggle with counterfeit medicines. So it is important to find a good pharmacy.
In case of a medical emergency, you can call 1195. If you are near the border with northeast Thailand, you can also call medical facilities in Thailand.

Public healthcare in Laos is provided through state hospitals and health centers. It is affordable, but the quality is often inadequate due to a lack of resources, trained staff and modern equipment. They also provide mostly basic care and often do not speak English.
Medications are not always available, and patients sometimes have to bring their own medical supplies.
Public care is cheap, but for serious medical problems patients are often referred to neighboring countries such as Thailand or Vietnam, as facilities in Laos are thus inadequate.
In rural areas, expect poor access to healthcare due to long distances and poor roads.

Because of poor public care, private hospitals and clinics have been set up.
Private clinics in Vientiane and other major cities offer better care than the public sector. These clinics often cater to expats and wealthy Laotians. You'll find more English-speaking doctors and higher standards here.
Private care is considerably more expensive, but still affordable compared to Western standards. Payment must often be made immediately, and insurance coverage must be arranged in advance.
For serious cases, medical evacuation to Thailand (Bangkok) or Singapore is still often necessary. Indeed, private hospitals there are better than in Laos. This makes good international health insurance essential.

People generally seek immediate help from experts in hospitals or clinics when something is wrong.
For minor medical problems you can go to private clinics, where you will usually find general doctors.

Dental care is on the rise in Laos, especially in Vientiane, where English-speaking dentists and modern clinics are available.
Dental care is affordable, and the quality in urban areas is reasonably good. Still, many emigrants choose to go to neighboring Thailand for more complex problems.

Maternal mortality is high in Laos due to limited access to care, especially in rural areas. Expats are therefore advised to plan carefully and consult with other expats around them.
Maternity care in public hospitals is inexpensive but often of low quality. The lack of trained staff and hygienic conditions can be a problem.
Many expats therefore choose to give birth in Thailand, where facilities and care are better.

In general, Laos is reasonably safe, but you should watch out for pickpocketing and bag theft (often from scooters) in tourist areas.
Armed robberies are also sometimes committed in major cities. It is advised not to carry expensive items openly.
In addition, it is important to be careful with local alcohol, liquor and food “spiking” (where drugs are put into your food or drink) occurs.
Beware of scooter rental scams where your scooter is deliberately damaged or stolen.
During the rainy season, floods, typhoons and landslides are common.
Beware of landmines and other unexploded weapons, avoid areas where they may occur.

Several mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria and dengue fever, are a risk in Laos.
Tap water is definitely not drinkable. Also avoid raw and uncooked food.
Other (tropical) diseases are also prevalent in the country. It is wise to check with a vaccination doctor to see what vaccinations you need.

With the exception of the China-Laos expressway, the roads in Laos are usually of poor quality and means of transportation are often not well maintained.
Thus, driving in the dark is also dangerous because many cars do not have lights.
Another traffic problem is the amount of stray livestock on the roads, make sure you are prepared for this when you are driving around.
If you are part of an accident, you have to help pay for damages to third parties, whether you are the guilty party or not. In addition, the police are usually on the side of Laotians.

Is the trip to Laos and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

It is not entirely clear whether local insurance is mandatory, but either way it is recommended that you also take out private insurance. The care is free, but so limited that for bigger problems it is better to seek help abroad. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.

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