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Honduras international health insurance / Healthcare system |
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 Honduras is situated in Central America sharing its borders with Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala and has a coastline flanking the Caribbean sea. It has a population exceeding 7 million people. Honduras has been blighted by military rule, a large wealth gap, corruption and natural disasters – all of which have contributed to Honduras being one of the less developed countries in the Central American region. It is estimated that approximately half of the population live below the poverty line and widespread social inequalities are common. However, in recent years, there has been more stability and a growing tourists industry in the Central American region; these factors are expected to bring economic and social improvements to Honduras.
The standard of healthcare in Honduras varies. State funded healthcare facilities are generally under-funded and medication is in short supply. Foreign nationals are advised to seek medical treatment from privately operated healthcare providers based in major cities. Other than in the cities, Honduran healthcare service levels decline to the point of being non-existence in rural areas. There is the potential for some surgical procedures being outside the scope of the Honduran health sector. Visitors are required to have Honduran health insurance and it is essential they carry evidence of their policy with them at all times.
The responsibility for the provision of the Honduran public healthcare system rests with the Honduran Ministry of Health, the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) and by various government bodies. The Honduran Ministry of Health is the steward of the Honduran healthcare system and is entrusted with overall governance of the country's health sector. Approximately 60% of the population receives healthcare through the main public healthcare system. The IHSS is the Honduras social society scheme covering a board range of services. The healthcare for a residual element of the Honduran population is covered by either the Armed Forces Health System; the National Social Welfare Agency; or the Department of Occupational Medicine, Hygiene and Safety within the Ministry of Labor.
The Honduran Ministry of Health has overall responsibilities for the health sector in the country and will oversee regulation and implementation of national healthcare policies. In recent years, the Ministry of Health has become more decentralized in order to improve the running of the public healthcare system and increase coverage of healthcare services. However, reform of the Honduran healthcare system is a continuous process and is expected be an on-going project.
In Honduras the public healthcare network is comprised of 28 hospitals – provided on a national, regional and local level – 252 health centres, 32 clinics for mothers and children (CMIs), 4 peripheral emergency clinics and 1058 rural health centers (CESARs). There are also more than 30 privately operated healthcare providers, consisting of those run on a commercial basis and those run by Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), in the country. In the past, the Honduran healthcare sector has been criticized for having a poor referral system that adversely affecting patient care – particularly when secondary or tertiary care is necessary. Projects aimed at reforming the healthcare sector in recent years have worked to improve overall communication between the constituent parts of the Honduran healthcare network; including decentralization of the system.
The Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) has emerged as an autonomous entity having been created in the 1950's and acts as the Honduran institution of public service; joining this system is mandatory for all employers and employees working in country. Also, it is compulsory for all national and international companies operating in Honduras to join the IHSS. The role of the IHSS is to provide protection for its members against economic and social hardships resulting from sickness, maternity, disease, old age and accidents at work. The IHSS will also give medical assistance and aid to members of families with children. Since the IHSS's inception it has been restructured to improve its social services and, in recent years, has been reformed to become more efficient to meet member’s health service needs.
The IHSS will plan, organize, implement and monitor the provision of healthcare services covering preventive and curative treatments, rehabilitation, technical and regulatory support. The IHSS plays an active role in providing quality medical care and efficient supply of medication to its members, although in the past the IHSS, the Honduran Ministry of Health and the private healthcare sector have been criticized for inadequate communication and for duplication of responsibilities. This has caused backlogs in treatment leaving some Honduran citizens without care.
Honduras is a country which has faced decades of high unemployment and poverty, which has negatively impacted the level of healthcare coverage the population has received.
It has been estimated that roughly 30% of the population receive no healthcare, 83% are uninsured, and there is a marked exclusion of health services for ethnic minorities and rural populations. Health sector reform programs have been adopted over recent years aimed at improving the level of healthcare coverage and eradicating inequalities, although it remains a continuous task to make the Honduran healthcare system more accessible for the needy proportion of the Honduras population.
Private healthcare in Honduras plays a vital role in the provision of better quality healthcare services in the country. Even though a large proportion of the Honduran population cannot afford private medical costs, private healthcare has grown mainly due to the demand from more affluent citizens and international visitors who want better quality healthcare services. Privately operated healthcare has also benefited from the Honduran public healthcare providers being severely under-funded and developed, which has created a demand for more comprehensive healthcare providers. It is strongly urged that all visitors to Honduras seek treatment from privately operated healthcare providers as the standard of care is similar to western-style medical facilities.
The Honduras Medical Center is a privately run healthcare provider in the capital Tegucigalpa offering a comprehensive range of healthcare and medical services. The hospital has more than 140 medical specialists and is able to provide intensive care, emergency treatment, maternity care and cardiovascular treatment. The Medical Center is one of Honduras' more established healthcare providers and offers an extensive range of medical treatment in a high standard healthcare facility.
The Wood Medical Center is situated in Roatan in the popular tourist region the Bay Islands. The Wood Medical Centre provides general and trauma healthcare services – although it is not medically advanced enough to carryout complex medical treatment. There are private and semi private rooms available, with the healthcare facility designed for emergency care, maternity and certain surgical procedures. The medical center is open 24-hours a day and caters for inpatient care. The Wood Medical Center is privately run and offers a better standard of healthcare in the Bay Island region of Honduras.
In 2010, the Honduran Government declared a state of emergency due to an outbreak of dengue fever in the country. Dengue fever is transmitted by infected mosquitoes coming into contact with humans and biting them. There is no vaccination against dengue fever; therefore visitors in Honduras should take maximum precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites.
In remote regions and low-lying areas of Honduras, malaria is common. Like dengue fever, malaria is spread by being bitten by infected mosquitoes. There is no vaccine against malaria and travelers to Honduras should seek the advice of a doctor before leaving to visit the country. It is also advisable to consult with a doctor for up-to-date health information for Honduras and for any health issues affecting the country.
The Bay Islands in Honduras are popular diving spots, with decompression chambers in Roatan and Utila if divers experience the bends. However, if a diver experiences medical problems, which require advanced medical treatment, the Honduran health facilities are under-equipped to meet the requirements of patients. Divers are therefore advised to ensure their Honduran medical insurance includes any activities they plan to participate in and to make sure that emergency medical evacuation is included.
There are many flaws present in the Honduran healthcare system, although there are adequate healthcare providers in the private healthcare sector within the cities. Medical facilities in the capital Tegucigalpa, and the popular tourist areas of the country, provide the better quality care. Visitors traveling outside urbanized areas need to be-aware that healthcare standards decline and in some locations can be non-existent. The Honduran health system is unable to match the USA or Europe for complex and advanced surgical procedures. It is strongly recommended that all visitors to the country obtain comprehensive Honduran international healthcare insurance, including medical air ambulatory and medical repatriation cover in case of extreme medical emergencies.
If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness, to yourself and your family, while traveling to or residing in Honduras, international health insurance plans will be the ideal solution. Policies can be tailor-made to ensure all your needs are met while in Honduras. Should you require further information on Honduras, international health insurance, or to receive a free quotation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now.
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