Health Insurance in Eritrea, Africa

Information expatriation

Capital City: Asmara
Total area: 117,600 km2
Population: 4,851,000
Money: Currency Converter
Time Zone: List of time zones by country
Calling Code: +291 XXX

Practical Information:

Wikipedia Eritrea

Health Product: Travel Insurance and Health insurance
Health Insurance information and Sanitary Risk: World Health Map
BLOG : Expat Health insurance Information

Here is a brief description of the healthcare system in the country:

·      Eritrea's healthcare system is extremely underdeveloped and underfunded, even among the lowest globally. Infrastructure and resources are severely lacking.

·      Basic care is intended to be provided free through a network of rural clinics and district hospitals. However, facilities are often ill-equipped with shortages of staff, supplies and medications.

·      Only about 2.5% of GDP is spent on health. Services are centered in a few major towns and cities, leaving remote populations with little or no access.

·      The country faces major public health challenges including an acute shortage of doctors, recurrent outbreaks of infectious diseases, and high rates of undernutrition.

·      Private medical practice is not well-established. There are less than 1 doctor per 10,000 people.

·      Primary health problems include malaria, respiratory/gastrointestinal infections, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, maternal health issues and childhood nutritional deficiencies.

·      Eritreans often cross borders for medical treatment in Sudan, Ethiopia or Djibouti when possible.

Here are some key health considerations for expatriates living in the country:

·      Ensure comprehensive private international medical evacuation insurance is purchased. Local options will be extremely limited.

·      Consider registering with the UN clinic in Asmara which has somewhat better resources than public facilities.

·      Carry large supplies of any maintenance medications as availability is unreliable. Bring copies of prescriptions.

·      Follow strict safety and hygiene protocols to prevent disease. Boil or treat all water, avoid risky foods.

·      Obtain recommended vaccinations for the region like hepatitis A/B, typhoid, meningococcal and boosters.

·      Bring over-the-counter medications for common ailments as these may be unavailable.

·      French and Italian are commonly spoken among older generations. Learn basic health-related phrases in these.

·      Monitor political stability closely as conflict could impact evacuation access.

·      Avoid remote rural areas with little or no public infrastructure or services.