Cameroon Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Cameroon

International health insurance is highly recommended for expats visiting Cameroon. The country is still lagging in terms of healthcare infrastructure, both public and private. Visitors will need health insurance for the medical evacuation and repatriation service to ensure their access to healthcare.

At Pacific Prime, we want to make sure that no matter where you go, you travel worry-free. This can be done with health insurance plans that suit your needs and budget. Click below to get a free quote right now or continue reading to find out more about health insurance in Cameroon.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Cameroon

Overview of Healthcare in Cameroon

Cameroon is still behind Western standards when it comes to healthcare infrastructures, both public and private. Even in Yaoundé and Douala, most facilities are equipped only for basic care. The further you travel outside, the more limited healthcare facilities will be.

Public healthcare facilities in Cameroon are noted for their lack of basic resources as well as trained medical staff. Many are reported for poor sanitation levels and outdated infrastructures.

Patients and families are sometimes expected to bring in certain basic medical supplies themselves, like gloves, soaps, and sheets.

Some hospitals also do not have enough staff to oversee admitted patients, especially in non-critical wards, requiring families to provide round-the-clock care for patients themselves.

Private facilities, though usually better equipped than their public counterparts, are still suitable only for basic care and not for complex medical conditions. Most hospitals will also require patients to cash payments upfront before any care will be given.

Visitors are generally advised to have sufficient funds, in cash, as well as a health insurance plan with medical evacuation coverage for transportation to the nearest available medical facilities outside the country.

In case of medical emergencies, the country does not have a national emergency number. Travelers and expats should call the nearest hospital for possible ambulance services. However, there can be long response times, and most ambulance services are under-equipped.

Usually, it is more advisable to take a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital directly.

Expats and travelers should also note that most of the medical services in Cameroon will be in French, and there are limited English-speaking staff available.

List of Medical Facilities in Cameroon

Yaounde General Hospital
Telephone: 69400992 (Emergency), 222212018, 222212019

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yaounde
Telephone: 222312566, 222312103

Groupe Medicale St Hilaire
Telephone: 679050404, 655855885

Clinic Frantz Fanon
Telephone: 242001727

Centre Medical Le Jordain (Jordan Medical Services)
Telephone: 222008810, 678276654, 656340165

Health Insurance Options in Cameroon

Expats may want to consider purchasing their own health insurance as Cameroon’s public healthcare coverage is still being developed.

Cameroon’s healthcare system is still largely based on a user-pay system, and many healthcare facilities will require upfront payment in cash before any care is given.

Credit cards are not always accepted. Therefore, visitors should make sure they have sufficient cash as well as suitable insurance coverage while traveling in Cameroon.

Certain coverages you might want to have for your health insurance in Cameroon include:

• Medical evacuation
• Repatriation service

This is due to the limited care capacity of the country’s healthcare system. In case of serious or complex conditions, it is likely that you will need medical evacuation to better-equipped facilities outside the country.

Usually, patients bear all costs of transportation when being transferred to a different hospital. A thorough health insurance package can make sure that you have uninterrupted access to healthcare, with no staggering bills following behind.

Best Private Health Insurance Providers in Cameroon

Many top insurers provide international health insurance plans that include coverage in Cameroon, including Allianz, April International, and Cigna Global.

Pacific Prime is a one-stop insurance brokerage service provider for all of your insurance needs. We offer a wide range of policies to meet your individual needs, including benefits such as dental, maternity, inpatient, outpatient, specialist consultations, and more.

Additionally, we have a large variety of healthcare plans as well as travel insurance plans. Contact our professional advisers today to enjoy full insurance protection for you and your family.

Allianz

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans for all expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to any basic policy that Allianz approves. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks.

Some of the basic coverage for their plans includes:

April International

April International has over 30 years of experience in the international health insurance market and provides both comprehensive and flexible plans to expats. They provide varying levels of coverage, fully customizable policies, and a wide direct billing network.

Some of the shared coverage across their plans are:

Cigna Global

Cigna Global provides flexible insurance plans to expats. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any private hospitals and private clinics. Their plans are both customizable and comprehensive.

Cigna has a silver, gold, and platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Cameroon Health and Travel Advice

To stay safe in Cameroon, there are certain health and travel advice visitors should adhere to, including advice regarding recommended vaccination, prevalent insect-borne diseases, and possible crimes in the country.

Polio

Cameroon has been reported for the circulation of poliovirus. Travelers should make sure they are up to date with polio vaccination before a visit to the country.

Measles

Cameroon is among many countries reported for increased numbers of measles cases. Travelers should make sure they are up to date with measles vaccination before a visit to the country.

Insect-Borne Diseases

Several insect-borne diseases including Malaria, African Sleeping Sickness, African Tick-Bite Fever, Chikungunya, Dengue, Leishmaniasis, and Zika are prevalent in Cameroon. Travelers should beware of bug bites, carry insect repellants, and sleep under a proper mosquito net.

Mpox

Travelers should avoid wild animals, wild animal products, and people who show symptoms of sickness to avoid being infected with the Mpox virus.

Recommended Vaccinations

Apart from polio and measles vaccination, travelers should make sure they are up to date with the following vaccines before traveling to Cameroon: routine vaccination, COVID-19, cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.

Terrorism

Certain terrorist groups are still active within Cameroon, especially in the Far North, North, and Adamawa Regions. Travelers should avoid going to such areas as well as should maintain situational awareness at all times in public spaces.

Civil Unrest

Demonstrations, strikes, and civil unrest occur frequently in Cameroon. Visitors should monitor local and international news outlets for the latest updates. Keep away from the areas of demonstration and respect any instructions from local authorities.

Violent Crime

Assault, muggings, and armed robbery are among the common violent crimes reported in urban areas of Cameroon. There have also been reports of violent crimes against foreigners. Travelers should be conscious of their security at all times and avoid traveling at night, especially in rural regions.

Kidnapping

There have been reports of foreigners being kidnapped in Cameroon in recent years, particularly in the North, Far North, South, Southwest, and on the eastern border with the Central African Republic. Travelers should maintain situational awareness at all times and avoid traveling at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is healthcare in Cameroon?

Cameroon's healthcare is plagued by various challenges, including inadequate staff, outdated infrastructures, and medical supply shortages. Some healthcare facilities will expect patients or their families to bring their own medical supplies.

What are common diseases in Cameroon?

HIV/AIDS is prevalent, especially among young women, in Cameroon. Insect-borne diseases, like Malaria, Dengue, Zika, and African Sleeping Sickness are also common in the country as well as infection from wild animals like Mpox.

Is Cameroon safe for tourists?

Tourists should take extra caution when traveling to Cameroon as several crimes and terrorist threads still exist in the country, including possible kidnapping and civil unrest.

Visitors should make sure they have secured sufficient insurance plans before their visit to Cameroon. The country’s medical infrastructures, public and private, are suitable only for basic care, and medical evacuation is highly likely for complex medical conditions.

Pacific Prime can help you navigate the technical jargon of insurance and find the right insurance plan that works best for your trip, your needs, and your budget. Contact our insurance expert today for free, no-obligation quotes!