Are expatriates eligible to public health care in Ivory Coast? What about the private health system? Find out in this article.
Health care will probably be one of your major concerns on moving to Ivory Coast. As an expatriate, you are eligible to health care both in the public and private sectors. In all cases, it is best to subscribe to a health insurance before traveling to Ivory Coast as you will probably have to pay for health care services in the country.
Health system
First of all, you have to distinguish between the public and private health care systems. The public health system comprises first contact health care centers (health centers that have been set up in the cities and countryside), primary care centers (general and specialized hospitals) and secondary health institutions (university hospitals, cardiology institutions, national public health and hygiene institution).
The private sector, for its part, consists of clinics, private hospitals, specialist practitioners, infirmaries and pharmacies.
Fees
The public health system is supported by the State via subsidies and financial donations. Some paid health care services have to be settled by the patient himself.
In the private health system, all health care services provided are paid. However, you can choose between two payment methods: either on the spot in cash or via a health insurance.
Good to know:
The Ivorian Social Security System does not take into account hospital fees, except in the case of pregnancy.
Private health insurance in Ivory Coast
There are many insurance companies to choose from in Ivory Coast, according to your needs and budget. Some of the leading health insurance providers are:
Consider having a look at their offers according to your needs and get a free quote on Expat.com's Health Insurance for expatriates in Ivory Coast page.
Quality of health care
Most Ivorian hospitals date back to the 1960s and 1980s. Only a few of these might have been renovated. Therefore, most of these hospitals may be quite substandard, poorly equipped, etc.
Moreover, ambulance services are quite limited and poorly equipped, as described by some organizations. Finally, medication stocks may be insufficient, or even unavailable in some public hospitals.
Health risks
Ivory Coast is rather vulnerable to a few contagious diseases. You are therefore advised to take precautionary measures against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, etc. Note that tuberculosis and malaria are quite widespread among the local population.
Emergency phone numbers
In case of emergency in Ivory Coast, here are some useful contact numbers:
SAMU: 185
Cocody CHU: 22 44 10 00 / 22 44 90 38
Treichville CHU: 21 24 91 22
Yopougon CHU: 23 46 64 54 / 23 46 61 70
Grand Bassam CHU: 21 30 10 36
Useful links:
Expat.com - Health care in Ivory Coast Forum
Expat.com - Health insurance in Ivory Coast
Ministry of Health www.sante.gouv.ci
ASFE Expat www.asfe-https://www.expat.com
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
