What is healthcare in Djibouti like?

Facilities and Health Information

Adequate medical facilities in the capital of Djibouti are limited and trauma services are only for stabilization and air ambulance transfer. Medical services in many outlying areas are nonexistent. Even in the capital, hospitals are unable to treat many ailments and frequently recommend medical evacuation. Visitors to Djibouti should purchase medical evacuation insurance. Hospitals in Djibouti require up-front cash payment for services and do not have service agreements with U.S. insurance companies. Cash payment will be requested in full before the patient is allowed to depart the hospital – reimbursement may then be requested by the U.S. Citizen through their insurance company in the United States.

U.S. Motorists should be especially aware that, in case of an accident outside the capital, emergency medical treatment would depend on assistance from passersby. In addition, cell phone coverage in outlying areas is often unavailable, making it impossible to summon help. Ambulance service in Djibouti is limited in effectiveness, must be scheduled and paid for in advance and is only a means of transportation. U.S. Citizen visitors to Djibouti are not permitted to access Embassy or U.S. Military medical facilities and must depend entirely on local medical facilities.

Malaria and dengue fever are endemic to Djibouti. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and even up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention, tell their medical provider about their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking.

In 2013, polio was found in Djibouti’s neighbors (Somalia and Ethiopia), and health professionals strongly suspect it is present in Djibouti. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all infants and children in the United States should receive four doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) at 2, 4, 6–18 months and 4–6 years of age. Adults traveling to polio-endemic and epidemic areas and who have received a primary series with either IPV or oral polio vaccine should receive another dose of IPV. For adults, available data does not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV.

Tuberculosis is a serious health concern in Djibouti, including multi-drug resistant strains. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB.

In May 2006, avian influenza was confirmed in three chickens and one human in Djibouti.

Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved

65.5%

Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved

7.9%

Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved

100.000000

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.5%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.4

People Living with HIV/AIDS

14,000

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.23

Diseases - note

highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds

Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved

38.6%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved

73.100000

Sanitation Facility Access - % of rural population improved

21.6%

Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

High

Food or Waterborne Disease (s)

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne Disease (s)

dengue fever

Disability Access In Djibouti

Accessibility

While in Djibouti individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodations very different from what you find in the United States. The government does not mandate accessibility to buildings or government services for persons with disabilities, thus accessibility is limited. The constitution does not prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities; however, the labor code prohibits discrimination in employment against such persons. Such persons have access to education and public health services.

Disclaimer

You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.

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