Claire Dawson
Cape Verde is a developing country with basic and limited medical facilities. The largest hospitals are in Praia on the island of Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. There are two small hospitals on the island of Sal, one in Santa Maria and the other in Espargos. The Santa Maria hospital is located next to the police station and offers emergency services. The Hospital do Sal in Espargos is another option. It is important to note that medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista, and the islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, making medical air evacuation difficult. Additionally, some medicines may be in short supply or unavailable, so it is advisable to bring any necessary medications. Cape Verde also has a telemedicine program, connecting all inhabited islands through an integrated telemedicine network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals | 2 |
| Locations of hospitals | Santa Maria and Espargos |
| Location of largest hospitals | Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente |
| Availability of medicines | Imported and may be in short supply or unavailable |
| Availability of doctors | Good number of doctors, trained overseas |
| Telemedicine program | Implemented by the US-based NGO, International Virtual e-Hospital |
| Malaria risk | Present, especially on the island of Santiago |
| HIV prevalence | Relatively low |
| Dengue fever risk | Warning level raised on the islands of Santiago, Fogo, and Brava |
| Altitude sickness risk | Present on the island of Fogo |
| Crime | Generally low, but increasing violent crime in Boavista |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- There are hospitals in Cape Verde, but medical facilities are basic and limited
- The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente
- There are two small hospitals on Sal: one in Santa Maria and the other in Espargos
- There are private medical clinics on Sal and São Vicente
- If you fall ill elsewhere, treatment may be hard to find as facilities on other islands are more limited
There are hospitals in Cape Verde, but medical facilities are basic and limited
The islands have a good number of doctors, trained overseas, and there are hospitals on São Vicente and Santiago, as well as private medical clinics on Sal and São Vicente. However, if you are taken seriously ill on a less-developed island, suitable treatment may be hard to come by. In such cases, comprehensive medical travel insurance is essential, as you may need to be flown home or to another country for treatment.
Sal, the island most geared towards tourists, has two small hospitals, one in Santa Maria and the other in Espargos. The Santa Maria hospital is located next to the police station, around 5-10 minutes north of the city centre. The waiting time for an appointment depends on the traffic in the hospital and the time of day—it is recommended to arrive early, around 9 am. Some doctors don't speak English well, so it is beneficial to have a Portuguese-speaking companion or an online translator.
Cape Verde has a telemedicine program, funded by the Republic of Slovenia and implemented by the US-based NGO, the International Virtual e-Hospital. This program aims to build a hospital-based telemedicine network for the entire country, and as of January 2014, all inhabited islands were connected through an integrated telemedicine network.
Theme Hospital: Available on Smartphones?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente
Cape Verde has a number of hospitals and medical facilities, but the largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente. These two hospitals are the main hospitals in Cape Verde, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country.
The hospital in Praia is located on the island of Santiago, which is one of the more developed islands in terms of tourism and infrastructure. Santiago does have a higher risk of malaria, particularly from July to December, so it is important to take the necessary precautions when visiting.
The hospital in Mindelo is located on the island of São Vicente. São Vicente is another island that is more geared towards tourists. It is important to note that while these islands have more developed infrastructure, healthcare in Cape Verde is still considered very basic and limited.
There are smaller hospitals on other islands, such as Sal, which has two small hospitals in Santa Maria and Espargos. There are also private medical clinics on Sal and São Vicente. However, medical facilities on the less-developed islands are more limited, and it may be necessary to travel by ferry or plane to reach a full-service hospital.
It is recommended that visitors to Cape Verde have comprehensive medical travel insurance that will cover emergency treatment or medical evacuation, as the country does not accept Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC). It is also important to be aware that some medicines may be in short supply or unavailable, so it is advisable to bring any necessary medications with you.
Hospital Closures: Devastating Impacts on Communities and Access
You may want to see also
Explore related products
There are two small hospitals on Sal: one in Santa Maria and the other in Espargos
Cape Verde has a few hospitals, but healthcare in the country is very basic and limited. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente. Smaller medical facilities and clinics are located throughout the country.
There are two small hospitals on Sal, one of the islands in Cape Verde: one in Santa Maria and the other in Espargos. The Santa Maria hospital is located next to the police station, around 5-10 minutes north of the city centre. The emergency entrance is through the glass doors on the right side of the building. The waiting time for an appointment depends on the traffic in the hospital and the time of day—it is recommended to arrive early, around 9 am. Some doctors don't speak English well, so it is advisable to bring a Portuguese-speaking companion or use an online translator. The staff at the hospital are generally friendly and helpful. The price for emergency consultation varies: 25 euros for tourists, 15 euros for residents, and 2 euros for locals.
The Hospital do Sal in Espargos can be contacted at (+238) 241-11-30. Clinitur, a private hospital in Santa Maria, is open 24 hours a day and can be reached at +238 242 90 90. Farmácia Ivete Santos, a pharmacy near the hospital in Espargos, can be contacted at +238 241 14 17. It is important to note that medicines in Cape Verde are often imported, so there may be a lack or shortage of commonly used medications.
Michigan Medicine: A Sprawling Healthcare Hub
You may want to see also
Explore related products
There are private medical clinics on Sal and São Vicente
Healthcare in Cape Verde is very basic and limited. The largest hospitals are located in Praia on the island of Santiago and Mindelo on the island of São Vicente. Smaller medical facilities and clinics are scattered throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly sparse on the island of Boa Vista.
On the island of Sal, which is the most tourist-oriented island in Cape Verde, there are no major hospitals. However, there are private medical clinics present, although their exact names and locations are not readily available.
It is important to note that Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde, so visitors are advised to obtain appropriate travel insurance that covers local treatment and medical evacuation.
Vitals: A Hospital's First Line of Defense
You may want to see also
Explore related products
If you fall ill elsewhere, treatment may be hard to find as facilities on other islands are more limited
If you are planning a trip to Cape Verde, it is important to be aware of the medical facilities available in the country. While Cape Verde has hospitals and medical clinics, the level of healthcare is very basic and limited. The largest hospitals are located in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics scattered throughout the country. However, it is important to note that medical facilities on some islands, such as Boa Vista, are particularly limited.
If you fall ill or require medical attention during your stay in Cape Verde, your treatment options may depend on your location. The islands of Sal, Santiago, and São Vicente have hospitals and medical clinics, but if you are on one of the less-developed islands, finding the right treatment may be more challenging. In such cases, you may need to travel by ferry or plane to reach a full-service hospital. It is crucial to have comprehensive medical travel insurance that can provide emergency assistance, including medical evacuation to another country if necessary.
To locate medical facilities in Cape Verde, you can refer to the list provided by the FCDO, which includes information on English-speaking medical providers. Additionally, telemedicine services have been implemented across the inhabited islands, providing remote medical consultations. However, it is important to be prepared and take necessary precautions, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition or are pregnant. Ensure that you have adequate supplies of any regular medication, as there may be a shortage or unavailability of certain medicines in Cape Verde.
When visiting Cape Verde, it is advisable to take sensible precautions to ensure your safety and well-being. This includes being vigilant against crime, especially in isolated areas of Boavista, where there has been an increase in violent crimes targeting tourists. Additionally, divers should be aware that Cape Verde does not have a hyperbaric chamber, so proper diving insurance is essential. By staying informed, preparing in advance, and having the necessary travel insurance, you can better navigate any health or safety challenges that may arise during your stay in Cape Verde.
In summary, while Cape Verde offers tourist attractions and a pleasant climate, its infrastructure, including medical facilities, is still developing. Being mindful of these limitations and taking appropriate precautions will help ensure a smoother trip. In case of illness, the availability of treatment options may vary depending on your location within the country, and having comprehensive travel insurance can provide crucial assistance in emergencies.
Clinic or Hospital: Which Setting is Best for Nurses?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are hospitals in Cape Verde. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country.
It is recommended that you purchase comprehensive medical travel insurance before your trip to Cape Verde. Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde, so having appropriate travel insurance is essential. If you need an ambulance, call 130.
Medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. If you are on medication, it is recommended that you buy what you need in advance. Some doctors don't speak English well, so it may be helpful to bring a Portuguese-speaking friend with you or use an online translator.
