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Ivory coast international health insurance / healthcare system
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 Cote d’Ivoire,
more commonly known as Ivory Coast, is located on the western
coastline of Africa and shares borders with Guinea, Liberia, Mali,
Burkina Faso and Ghana. With a landmass of 322,462 square
kilometers, Ivory Coast has an approximate population of 21
million people. Ivory Coast has a warm and humid equatorial
climate characterized by a dry season and a wet season with the
wet season typically from June to October. With over 60 indigenous
ethnic groups, Ivory Coast has a vibrant culture with many music
festivals and art events taking place throughout the year.
Although Yamoussoukro is the capital city, Abidjan is the
country’s business and financial center while also being the
largest city and port. Agriculture and the export of coffee,
cotton and cocoa are strong export sectors providing much of the
revenue that support the domestic economy.
A former French colony, Ivory Coast achieved independence in 1960
with President Félix Houphouët-Boigny ruling the country in its
early years. During this period, Ivory Coast maintained close
links to France and developed a strong and successful economy that
boasted annual double digit growth until the 1980s when economic
problems progressed into a sustained period of political
instability. In 2002, an armed rebellion aimed at overthrowing
President Gbagbo divided the country and resulted in internal
conflict until a comprehensive peace deal was signed in 2007. The
conflict had a devastating effect on the country with rebel forces
remaining in control of large parts of the north and west even
after the peace treaty was signed. The social and economic
progress made in the preceding decades has been largely swept
away. A disputed Presidential election in November 2010 sparked
renewed conflict. Thousands of people have fled their homes and
villages and while tensions have now begun to subside, all but
essential travel to Ivory Coast is being advised at present.
Health and medical facilities in Ivory Coast are basic and
limited. The uneven distribution of health facilities and
personnel throughout the country has resulted in a large
percentage of those living in the north and west having restricted
access to health care. Public medical facilities that continue to
operate suffer from shortages of equipment, medicines and
personnel. In Abidjan, several private medical facilities favored
by expatriates such as the Les Bleuets Clinique and the
Polyclinique Internationale de La Indenie offer an improved level
of care yet still fall short of international standards. Private
clinics are also prohibitively expensive in comparison to state
run facilities. The absence of a national Ivory Coast health
insurance scheme means patients must pay up front and in cash for
any treatments received. It should be noted that the recent
eruption of post election violence has further disrupted the
delivery of health services with medical personnel abandoning
their facilities and emergency medical needs remain at critical
levels. Health centers and hospitals in Abidjan are overwhelmed
with patients. Medicine and drug supplies in the city remain at
dangerously low levels. Purchasing comprehensive travel and
medical insurance before traveling to Ivory Coast is strongly
advised. Treatments are limited and medical evacuation may be
required in the event of a serious accident or illness.
The funding of health care in Ivory Coast remains inadequate with
the percentage of GDP allocated to health care fluctuating
annually. Consequently, the average life expectancy rate for both
men and women is predictably low at just 57 years. The infant
mortality rate is 68 per 1,000 live births with approximately 15
percent of the population suffering from malnutrition and a
shortage of food. 80 percent of people have access to clean and
safe drinking water. HIV/AIDS infection rates are among the
highest in the region with 4.7 percent of the adult population
suffering from the disease. Overall, approximately 750,000 people
living in the country are infected with HIV/AIDS.
Malaria is one of the primary causes of premature death in Ivory
Coast; therefore, it is advisable to seek medical advice four to
six weeks before traveling. Once in the Ivory Coast, standard
precautions against insect bites such as using disinfected bed
nets, using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve trousers and
shirts can reduce the risk of infection. Numerous diseases and
viruses carry a high risk in Ivory Coast. The routine vaccination,
if applicable, plus vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid,
Bacterial Diarrhea, Malaria, Yellow Fever, Schistosomiasis and
Rabies are recommended. The Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
is required at port of entry to Ivory Coast. Poor sanitary
conditions led to an outbreak of cholera in Abidjan and the
surrounding areas during the early part of 2011. In excess of 40
people were affected and there is an ongoing risk that the disease
can manifest at any time.
Crime remains a major threat to expatriates and short term
visitors to Ivory Coast. Foreign nationals are perceived to be
wealthy and have become targets for street crime, muggings and
pick pocketing. Incidents of armed attacks on businesses and car
jacking are also on the increase with some armed robberies carried
out by men in military uniform. Expatriates and short term
visitors are advised to safely lock up valuables and to only carry
photocopies of important documents. In common with other West
African countries, financial fraud is widespread with short term
visitors in the country for business purposes specifically
targeted. Credit cards are not widely used outside of Abidjan but
credit card fraud remains a real problem. The overall political
and security situation in Ivory Coast remains extremely tense and
travelers should exercise caution at all times. In the case of
illness or accident, the emergency services can be contacted by
dialing 111.
Expatriates, individuals and groups traveling to Ivory Coast must
ensure they are sufficiently covered for all possible medical
circumstances, including those where medical evacuation may be
required. If you are traveling through or working as an expat in the ivory coast, international health insurance can provide you some of the most comprehensive coverage available.
Contact our advisers today to
receive a free expatriate health insurance quote and to learn more
about the products and services Globalsurance can offer.
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