Guinea Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Guinea

Expats in Guinea will need to purchase a private health insurance plan before traveling to Guinea because they will not be able to acquire insurance locally. It is essential to pick an international plan that covers emergency evacuation since Guinea is unable to treat serious health conditions.

Are you an expat heading to Guinea soon? Do you want to learn your health insurance options and how Guinea’s healthcare system works?

In this Pacific Prime article, we'll give you a snapshot of how the Guinean healthcare system is set up, as well as the health insurance options available to expats. We’ll also introduce you to various health risks in Guinea and travel tips for your visit to this country.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Guinea

The Healthcare System in Guinea: Explained for Expats

Guinea’s healthcare system is considered weak as it lacks access to basic healthcare equipment, trained professionals, and adequate medical facilities. Because of widespread poverty in Guinea, only half of its citizens are even able to access healthcare services.

Here are some of the struggles the Guinean healthcare system faces:

• Poor Infrastructure: Guinea lacks basic medical supplies and sterile equipment
• Shortage of Healthcare Workers: Guinea needs more medical professionals who are trained and certified
• Unequal Access to Care: Rural areas in Guinea have significantly less access to medical facilities and services than individuals and families living in urban areas
• Financial Barriers: Many Guinea citizens cannot afford healthcare services because of their high poverty levels
• Impact of Epidemics and Pandemics: Guinea is still struggling to recover from the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, and political turmoil
• Lack of Sanitation: Accessibility to safe drinking water and clean sanitation, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas, remains a real problem and is the main cause of waterborne diseases, particularly among children aged 5 years and under
• HIV/AIDs is Prevalent: The 2018 Demographic Health Survey Report estimates that 1.5% of Guinea’s population is living with HIV/AIDs, between 110,000 and 150,000 people

Guinea has been officially classified by the United Nations Capital Development Fund as one of the least developed countries in the world. In 1987, Guinea adopted the Bamako Initiative which outlined protocols designed to increase the availability of medicines and healthcare services to Sub-Saharan Africans.

While progress has been made, in particular, an increase in accessibility to healthcare through community-based programs, both public and private medical facilities in Guinea remain badly equipped and fall considerably short of international standards.

Public Healthcare and Hospitals in Guinea

The public healthcare sector of Guinea is divided into four tiers of care, tier 1 being the most local centers for a basic level of care and treatment, and tier 4 being the most advanced, referral centers of the country for complicated cases. 

The tiers of care are divided as follows:

• Tier 1: 961 health posts, 423 health centers
• Tier 2: 9 local medical centers, 31 prefectural hospitals
• Tier 3: 7 regional hospitals
• Tier 4: 3 national hospitals

Public Healthcare Funding

The public health sector funding is derived from four main sources: the government, local authorities, the public, and donors. However, the percentage of spending allocated towards health from the national budget is approximately 8% or 1.3% of its GDP.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all countries should allocate at least 5% of their GDP to health, so Guinea has a way to go.

1. State funding primarily covers the salaries of medical staff on the public payroll, vaccine purchase, and their distribution. The remaining state funds are invested in health centers and hospitals. This funding makes up approximately 80%of the operating expenses of the annual health budget.
2. Local authorities (communes, prefectures, regions) bear a minute share of the cost burden, approximately 0.4%, which is limited to paying the salaries of contractually employed staff.
3. The public pays approximately 14.8%of overall funding, which equates to part of the cost required to maintain the nation’s health infrastructure and part of their operating costs.
4. Donors provide 5.3%, specifically to finance infrastructure or equipment-related expenditures, and provide basic and advanced training.

Private Healthcare and Hospitals in Guinea

The private healthcare sector of Guinea is essential as they can provide a wider range of treatments than are available in the public sector and their treatment may be of higher quality. There are 147 private hospitals in Guinea from voluntary, faith-based, and mining organizations.

Private healthcare providers tend to emphasize treating the following needs:

• Family planning
• Malaria control
• Maternal and child health services
• Other initiatives that collaborate with programs like USAID

Private treatment does remain inaccessible to the majority of the Guinea residents, however, due to their extreme poverty levels. Private facilities also struggle with supplying a wide range of basic medicines as they are in short supply around the country.

Private clinics will request payment in cash regardless of whether or not you hold a Guinea medical insurance policy.

Private facilities have not yet reached their full potential, though they may be the better option for expats seeking medical treatment.

It is advisable that all expats in Guinea obtain a comprehensive international health insurance policy that provides access to private facilities and an emergency evacuation benefit.

Evacuation overseas will often be the best treatment option if you’re suffering from a serious illness or accident. Hospitals in Guinea will usually only be able to supply basic emergency care; any in-depth or complicated medical treatments are often not available in the country, and you will have to be transported. 

Access to Emergency Medical Services in Guinea

There is no emergency rescue service in Guinea and no contact numbers are available for the main hospitals, including those in the capital Conakry. Some private medical facilities such as the Clinique Pasteur in Conakry can be contacted at (+224) 621 350 101.

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Guinea

Expats in Guinea will not have the option to get public health insurance so they must secure a private medical coverage plan. An international private plan can provide medical coverage worldwide no matter where you travel, and it can be customized to cover the benefits your situation needs.

Public Health Insurance in Guinea

While Guinea’s government technically has a public health insurance scheme, it is not widely accessible to all. Employers and employees in Guinea contribute to this fund with a portion of their salaries. Expats cannot rely on this scheme to cover their medical expenses.

Private Health Insurance in Guinea

Expats in Guinea are strongly recommended to secure private international health insurance to cover their medical expenses. This recommendation is largely due to the reality that if you encounter a serious illness or injury, the facilities in Guinea will be unable to treat you, requiring evacuation.

Emergency evacuation can cost over USD $250,000, and without coverage, you will be expected to pay this expense out of pocket. If you have an international plan with an evacuation benefit, you will not be required to cover these fees.

Here are some of the most common benefits included in a private coverage plan:

These plans can include:

• Inpatient and outpatient coverage
• Medical emergency coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
• Direct billing
• Worldwide coverage (can include your home country)
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Renewable policies
• Flexibility in choosing providers
• And much more!

The Best Private Insurance in Guinea for Expats

NOW Health, Allianz, April International, Morgan Price, and Cigna are the best private international health insurance providers for expatriates living and/or working in Guinea. These plans are flexible, renewable, and affordable.

Let’s learn a little more about each provider below. Feel free to read our article detailing the Top 10 International Health Insurance Providers for other insurers.

NOW Health International

NOW Health International offers coverage in over 200 territories, and expats choose Now Health because of their customer-focused services and extensive worldwide provider network. SimpleCare plans are designed to be cost-effective for expats, and Worldcare plans offer more comprehensive coverage.

Here are some NOW Health International highlights:

Allianz

Allianz Care is a world-leading health insurance provider for expats living globally. As the international health brand of the larger Allianz Partners, Allianz Care offers health, life, critical illness, and disability insurance around the globe in 75 countries and over 58 languages.

Here are some more Allianz highlights:

April International

April International is an international insurance provider based in France with more than 30 years of experience in international health insurance and 12 different countries of operation. April offers 5 tiers of coverage for individuals and families, paperless reimbursement, and 24/7 contact.

Here are some April International highlights:

Morgan Price

Morgan Price has been an international insurance provider for over 25 years, and they sell expats health, dental, vision, inpatient, and outpatient insurance. Morgan Price can insure individuals, families, groups, and corporations, and they cover newly diagnosed medical conditions.

Here are some Morgan Price highlights:

Cigna

Cigna Global offers international health insurance to expats living in more than 200 markets and territories around the world. Cigna has 1.5 million health professionals and 24/7 customer support workers who speak more than 50 languages. Individuals, families, and businesses can get Cigna coverage.

Here are some more Cigna highlights:

Factors to Consider When Picking Health Insurance in Guinea

Expats, international citizens, and humanitarian workers living in Guinea who are picking their health insurance plan should consider their age, whether they need to cover dependents or not, the cost of various plans, and other factors before making their choice.

Here are some factors to consider when picking health insurance in Guinea:

• Your age, gender, and region of coverage(Guinea)
• Coverage for dependents
• Cost and how the cost changes based on your chosen premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and frequency of payments
• If you use substances that affect your health (tobacco, alcohol, recreational or illegal drugs, etc.)
• The network of your provider
• Out-of-pocket costs
• If pre-existing medical conditions are covered
• If you need maternity and newborn coverage

Health Risks and Travel Tips for Travelers in Guinea

Travelers and expats in Guinea should only drink boiled or bottled water, seek medical assistance if they develop diarrhea or stomach symptoms, secure a private health insurance plan, and exercise caution around military personnel and crowds. 

Below are several tips to keep in mind when you’re traveling in Guinea.

• Only drink boiled or bottled water. Ice in drinks should also be avoided. 
• Seek immediate medical assistance if you suffer from diarrhea or similar stomach-related illnesses during a visit to Guinea. 
• Carry photographic identification at all times. 
• Exercise caution at all times, particularly when near military camps and the border areas, as the level of security remains uncertain.
• Keep in mind that crime is an everyday occurrence in both rural and city areas of Guinea. Naturally, this includes the capital city of Conakry. Criminal acts by individuals dressed in military uniform are on the rise with tourists and travelers regularly targeted by thieves.
• The most nonviolent crime involves acts of pick-pocketing and purse-snatching, particularly around areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as the airport, hotels, restaurants, markets, and other tourist attractions. Armed robbery and assault are common violent crimes. 
• Corruption is a major problem which has infiltrated every sector of public life. Police and military officials have been known to make direct and indirect requests for bribes. 
• Exchanging foreign currency in public places or using unlicensed money changers is illegal and can result in arrest.

The following diseases are widespread in Guinea, and there is a very high degree of risk associated with each: 

• Bacterial and protozoal diarrhea
• Hepatitis A 
• Typhoid fever
• Malaria
• Yellow fever 
• Schistosomiasis 
• Rabies 
• Lassa fever 
• Cholera 

Note that Cholera is especially prevalent during the rainy season, and can sometimes remain in the country’s water sources for up to eight months after the first rains.

Because there is such a high risk of exposure to dangerous illnesses, expats and travelers in Guinea should take every precaution to avoid exposure and they should have private health insurance to cover the fees for any medical treatment received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Guinea’s healthcare considered good?

Guinea’s healthcare system is one of the poorest in the world. This is largely due to the extreme poverty levels in the country, lack of medical supplies and equipment, shortage of trained medical professionals, and Guinea’s history of struggling to bounce back from epidemic outbreaks.

What type of insurance should an expat get in Guinea?

Expats in Guinea should get a private international health insurance plan since they can’t rely on any local insurance schemes in the country. A private worldwide plan can protect expats in Guinea and anywhere else in the world they travel, securing their medical protection across borders.

Compare Insurance Plans and Quotes to Protect Yourself

In Guinea, access to public and private health insurance coverage is not widely available. Therefore, you are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive international health insurance before traveling. Visitors should seek medical advice and ensure they receive appropriate information in regard to mandatory vaccinations. 

As an insurance broker with over 20 years of experience in the industry, Pacific Prime offers a wide spectrum of health insurance policies. From family insurance to travel insurance, we are more than happy to find the perfect plans that balance your budget with your needs.

Get a free quote now with our online comparison tool! For tailored, impartial advice, contact our team of expert insurance advisors today!

Recommended Reads:

• The Best International Insurance Companies
• International Family Health Insurance Plans
• Maternity Insurance: Pregnancy while Living Abroad
• International Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions