Gabon Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Gabon

Visitors should secure an international health insurance plan that includes medical evacuation, as Gabon’s healthcare system is underfunded and still experiences resource shortages when it comes to complex conditions. The system, however, is still relatively well-established among African countries.  

Read on to learn more about Gabon’s healthcare and health insurance system in this exclusive guide from Pacific Prime, or obtain a no-obligation, free quote below.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Gabon

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Overview of the Healthcare System in Gabon

Gabon’s healthcare system is considered to have above-average performance compared to its African neighbors. Medical facilities in major cities are often adequate, though you might find facilities in rural regions limited or basically-equipped.

The healthcare system in Gabon can be divided into three sectors: public, para-public, and private.

• The public sector consists of military and civilian public facilities
• The para-public sector consists of providers in the network of the National Social Security Funds
• The private sector consists of for-profit and not-for-profit providers as well as traditional medicine providers

Healthcare facilities are further divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The primary level is made up of departmental hospitals, health centers, dispensaries, and health huts for providing primary care.

At the secondary level are secondary hospitals and regional hospital centers which serve as the referral centers for primary healthcare facilities. The tertiary level is made up of university teaching hospitals as well as central diagnostic and care facilities.

Although Gabon has made a great leap in terms of the healthcare sector, the country’s public facilities are still challenged by underfunding, a severe shortage of equipment, and a shortage of qualified medical personnel, especially specialists.

Private facilities are often preferred for specialist consultations, surgery, and emergency care despite being more costly compared to their public counterparts. Private facilities are also generally preferred for better comfort.

Private facilities, however, are usually limited outside of Libreville and major cities.

Medical evacuation might be necessary in the event of serious illness or injuries. Visitors are often recommended to have sufficient health insurance plans that cover possible medical evacuation and repatriation.

It is also worth noting that Gabon’s official language is French, and the number of English-speaking doctors is limited, especially outside major facilities.

List of Hospitals in Gabon

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Libreville (CHUL)
Address: 356 Rue Ndende
Telephone: +241 (0)11 72 32 15

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Akanda
Address: Boulevard Triomphal
Telephone: +241 (0)11 45 90 36
Website: https://www.hiaa-rdv.ga/ 

Hôpital d’Instruction des Armées Omar Bongo Ondimba 
Address: Route de Melen PK9
Telephone: +241 (0)11 79 00 00
Website: https://hiaobo.ga/ 

Polyclinique Biyoghe 
Address: Montagne Sainte BP 3925
Telephone: +241 (0)11 74 29 62 / 74 29 63 / 74 29 64

Polyclinique Chambrier 
Address: Montagne Sainte BP 2230
Telephone: +241 (0)11 76 14 68 
Website: http://www.polycliniquedrchambrier.com/ 

Polyclinique El-Rapha 
Address: Trois Quartiers BP 256
Telephone: +241 (0)11 44 70 00

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Gabon

Gabon has a public and a private health insurance system. The public system covers vulnerable citizens and the working population. Still, given the country’s limited medical resources, private health insurance is usually the recommended option for better medical access.

Public Health Insurance in Gabon

Gabon has an established public health insurance system. However, those who can afford it still pay out of pocket for services in private facilities. Most visitors are also recommended to take out sufficient coverage for medical evacuation should it become necessary.

Gabon’s national health insurance or the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie et de Garantie Sociale (CNAMGS) provides coverage for students, the poor, the elderly, and employees in the public and private sectors of Gabon.

CNAMGS is divided into three funds for three groups of the population:

• Vulnerable citizens
• Public sector employees
• Private sector employees

The funds for vulnerable citizens are funded by a mandatory health insurance levy (redevance obligatoire à l’assurance maladie or ROAM) on mobile phone companies and international money transfers.

Public sector employers contribute to the funds for public sector employees, and private sector employers and employees co-contribute to the social security funds (Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale, CNSS).

All funds provide similar benefits packages with 100% coverage for maternity care and around 80-90% coverage for other healthcare costs including medical consultation, nursing, diagnostic services, and hospital care.

To prevent the abuse of the system, holders must present their policyholder when utilizing the service.

Private Health Insurance in Gabon

Private health insurance is usually the desirable option due to additional coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation aside from access to private healthcare.

Medical evacuation coverage is crucial if you’re traveling anywhere with limited healthcare facilities or medical resources. With this benefit, your transportation to necessary medical facilities is covered.

International health insurance plans also ensure your medical fees are covered everywhere you go. This can provide you with extra flexibility compared to local health insurance which will insure only expenses within the country of your destination.

Most health insurance plans will come with their own perks and exclusions. It is advisable to carefully review your policies before any purchase to ensure you get the right plans with the coverage you need.

How to Secure the Best Private Health Insurance in Gabon

Expats in Gabon can secure private health insurance in Gabon by consulting an experienced insurance broker, like Pacific Prime.

With almost two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Pacific Prime leverages its close partnerships with all major insurers and has an extensive portfolio of all the best plans to match expats with the most optimal health insurance solutions on the market.

In addition to having the best health insurance policies, Pacific Prime also offers unparalleled service and outstanding claims support. 

Contact Pacific Prime today to secure the best insurance solution with the help of consultants who provide impartial advice and support.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Gabon

When choosing private health insurance in Gabon, expats have several excellent options that cater to their unique needs.

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:

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

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:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency repatriation
• Emergency evacuation
• Maternity coverage
• Vision and dental coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

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 Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans with varying levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and daypatient treatments
• Cancer treatments
• Physiotherapy
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

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Health Risks and Recommendations in Gabon

Just like many African countries, Gabon experiences many health issues, including HIV/AIDS, yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, and much more.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is highly prevalent in the country. Visitors should take precautions when engaging in high-risk activities.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes mosquito which feeds during daylight hours and is abundant in urban areas. Yellow fever vaccination is a requirement to enter Gabon, administered ten days before arrival and renewed at ten-year intervals. 

Dengue fever

Dengue fever is spread by Aedes mosquito bite and can be deadly when worsening. Visitors should take preventative measures, such as wearing insect repellent, long pants, and sleeves, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, and using bed nets. 

Malaria

The anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria. Preventative measures such as wearing insect repellent, long pants, and sleeves, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, and using bed nets are recommended. Visitors should consider bringing antimalarial drugs and other prescription drugs along with them.

Recommended Vaccinations

CDC recommends visitors to Gabon stay up to date with routine vaccinations as well as vaccination for COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Sophisticated treatment may not be available in certain areas of Gabon. Visitors are encouraged to include medical emergency evacuation when securing an international health insurance policy to cover the cost of repatriation or evacuation by air or ground ambulance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is healthcare free in Gabon?

Gabon’s national health insurance (CNAMGS) provides policyholders with 100% coverage for maternity care only. Other healthcare receives around 80-90% reimbursement.

What are the main health issues in Gabon?

Gabon sees a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and insect-borne diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever. Water-borne and food-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis are also common.

Is Gabon a high-risk country?

Visitors should exercise increased caution in Gabon due to crime and civil unrest, on top of health risks. Avoid traveling in isolated/unfamiliar areas at night. Visitors are advised to follow local news and respect any curfew announced.

Conclusion

Though Gabon has a well-established healthcare system, visitors may still want to consider a private health insurance plan to ensure any possible medical evacuation is covered.

Medical facilities in major cities are usually well-equipped, but care can be limited in rural areas. Medical personnel shortage, especially for specialists, also means you might need medical evacuation in case of critical or complex conditions.

Our insurance experts at Pacific Prime can help you secure health insurance that works best for your needs and budgets. Contact us now for a free plan comparison.