What is healthcare in Cabo Verde like?

Facilities and Health Information:

Medical facilities in Cabo Verde are limited, and, despite an extensive network of local pharmacies, some medications are in short supply or otherwise unavailable. The country’s largest hospitals (all public) are in Praia and Mindelo, but smaller public health centers and private medical clinics, of variable quality in both personnel and equipment, are located throughout the country. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have airports, so air evacuation from them in the event of a medical emergency is impossible.

Malaria exists in Cabo Verde, but is mainly limited to the island of Santiago. Nationwide, malaria is far less prevalent than in mainland African countries with approximately 20-40 cases occurring annually, almost always among recent West African migrants who contracted the illness before arriving in the islands. Although many expatriates do not believe there is a need for malaria prophylaxis, it is important to be aware that there is an elevated risk of contracting the disease from July to December, especially during the rainy season (August-October).

In 2009, Cabo Verde experienced its first-ever epidemic of dengue fever, another mosquito-borne illness, the spread of which was facilitated by an unusually heavy rainy season. Unlike malaria, no prophylaxis exists against dengue fever. Ultimately, 21,000 cases were reported, affecting all nine inhabited islands, with six fatalities nationwide. Since then, the number of dengue cases has dropped drastically. In 2010, the Cabo Verdean government received notification of 405 cases, 16 of which were confirmed by a laboratory. No deaths were reported. At least two cases were reported in 2011, with no confirmed deaths. As of August 2013, there was only one case of dengue reported by state television, although with the rainy season ahead, travelers should exercise vigilance. Even with reduced risk of dengue as a public health threat in Cabo Verde, travelers are advised to minimize exposure to both dengue and malaria by taking precautions against mosquito bites, which are most common at dawn and dusk, particularly from July to December. Like malaria, no vaccine exists for dengue, so travelers in Cabo Verde who exhibit symptoms as described on the CDC’s dengue fact sheet should immediately seek medical attention. Depending on how long you are in Cabo Verde, symptoms may not present themselves until after you return to the United States. Since medical professionals in the United States often do not test patients for either illness, make sure you tell the doctor evaluating your symptoms that you have recently been in a country where both malaria and dengue fever exist.

If you need a doctor in Cabo Verde, a list of medical providers and hospitals is available on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Praia.

Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved"

86%

Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved:

10.7%

Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved:

91.2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.04%

People Living with HIV/AIDS:

775

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population:

Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved:

35.1%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved:

75.2%

Sanitation Facitlity Access - % of rural population improved:

47.2%

Disability Access In Cabo Verde

Accessibility:

While in Cabo Verde, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation considerably more limited than in the United States. The country’s rugged terrain, the widespread use of cobblestone streets and pathways, the very limited number of elevators in buildings, and the frequency of power outages all constitute significant hardships for persons with limited mobility. Although the Cabo Verdean constitution guarantees that persons with disabilities will receive priority in the provision of government services and stipulates that public buildings must be accessible to the disabled, in reality few such accommodations have been made. However, the country does have national advocacy organizations for the visually and hearing impaired that actively seek to expand such accommodations.

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