How does the healthcare system work in Equatorial Guinea?

What is the quality of healthcare in Equatorial Guinea?

• Centrally located Equatorial Guinea still has a lot of boxes to tick when it comes to health care. Care is limited, and life expectancy is relatively low.
• There is both public and private care in the country. The best care can be found in Malabo and Bata, so it is a good idea not to stray too far from these cities if you suffer from something more serious than a mosquito bite.
• Even relatively simple illnesses can lead to serious complications, so medical preparation is not an unnecessary luxury here.
• Due to the high costs of health care, many people turn to traditional healers, who can sometimes help you with herbs, sometimes with prayer, and sometimes with a surprisingly strong massage.
• Incidentally, Equatorial Guinea is the only African country where Spanish is the official language. Less convenient if you only speak French or English at the doctor's.
• Pharmacies are available, especially in Malabo and Bata, but supplies are often lacking... 
• Do you have a medical emergency? There is a good chance that you will need to be evacuated. Emergency care is very limited in Equatorial Guinea. It comes in handy to have the contact number of your embassy or the emergency number of your insurance company at hand.

How does the public healthcare system work in Equatorial Guinea?

• Public healthcare in Equatorial Guinea is formally divided into several layers: health posts in villages (for when you have a wound or just want to have a chat with someone), health centres staffed by nurses, district hospitals, and specialist hospitals.
• The major problem in healthcare is the lack of government funding. The government spends little on healthcare, and you can see that in everything: infrastructure, hygiene, availability of staff and materials. Sometimes you even have to bring your own needles, gloves and bandages. That sounds like a joke, but it is deadly serious.

How does the private healthcare system work in Equatorial Guinea?

• Most foreigners use private healthcare, because although it is also limited, the basic care is generally better than in the public sector.
• But… don't expect a five-star experience. The care is decent, but still leaves much to be desired.
• You often have to pay cash, so having a well-filled wallet with you is not an unnecessary luxury.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Equatorial Guinea?

• A GP system like in other countries? Forget it. In Equatorial Guinea, you just go to a doctor when you have complaints — the closest one wins.
• The advantage: no waiting lines. The disadvantage: no continuity or familiarity with your medical history.

How is the dentist arranged in Equatorial Guinea?

• In short: not great. Dental care is hardly available, and certainly not according to Western standards. If you have a toothache, you might want to plan a weekend dental holiday in a neighbouring country with better care.

How is pregnancy care arranged in Equatorial Guinea?

• There has been progress in recent years, with maternal mortality rates falling below the regional average. But that doesn’t mean everything is running smoothly now. There are big differences between urban and rural areas, and between rich and poor households.
• In Malabo and Bata, you’ll find a number of clinics that offer maternity care, but don’t expect high-tech ultrasounds or luxurious birthing pools. It’s more basic, with limited resources.
• Many expecting mothers plan their delivery in a country where the care meets their needs and safety requirements.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Equatorial Guinea?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Equatorial Guinea?

• Safety in Equatorial Guinea, like the country itself, is somewhere in the middle between the extremes. In general, it is safe for people who want to come and live there, provided you take a number of things into account.
• Scams, such as a tour guide who tells you a story for 5 minutes and asks for money, civil servants who just want to see money, or a taxi driver who asks the highest price, do occur. You can prevent this by only using reputable companies.
• There is petty (pickpocketing and bag theft) and major crime (robberies and car hijackings), especially in Malabo and Bata.
• The rainy season also brings dangers. Landslides and floods are not unknown phenomena.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Equatorial Guinea?

• Of course, a lot of diseases also occur in this tropical country. 
• Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, malaria, yellow fever, dengue, filariasis and zika are no joke here.
• HIV/AIDS is common.
• Other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, mpox and schistosomiasis also occur. 

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Equatorial Guinea?

• Well, if you want to go on the road in Equatorial Guinea, you are taking some risks. The number of deaths from traffic accidents is about 20 times the global average!
• On the other hand, the road network is getting better and better and driving is becoming more comfortable.
• Beware of the sudden company on the road such as cattle and pedestrians.
• Outside of Malabo and Bata, military roadblocks are common. Make sure you have all your papers with you and speak Spanish (or have a written letter in Spanish explaining what you are going to do). 
• If you don't have your own car or simply don't want to take all these risks, "bush taxis" are a popular option. These are a kind of shared taxi between the big cities.
• In addition, there are also minibuses that are useful for transport within the cities.
• Ferry services can be found between Douala, Bata and Malabo.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Equatorial Guinea?

• Is the trip to Equatorial Guinea 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.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Equatorial Guinea if you are going to live there for a while?

• Given the state of healthcare in Equatorial Guinea, good, international health insurance is very important. This will prevent you from having to pay high costs if medical evacuation or care abroad is necessary.
• Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.