Togo Health Insurance
This short guide provides information about healthcare and health insurance in Togo for those planning to move or travel to Togo. Read on to learn more, or click below to obtain a no-obligation, free quote.
Togo healthcare system
Togo is woefully underserved by its health care professionals; the country has only 3 physicians per 10,000 people, which is far below international standards. Inequities in access to care are vast between rural and urban areas, and between the rich and poor Togolese.
As to be expected in a country with such extreme poverty, only about 60 percent of Togolese have access to drinking water, which represents a steady improvement over the past two decades. However, this figure masks regional inequalities as only about 40 percent of the rural population has access to a source of potable drinking water. Less than 20 percent of the Togolese population have access to improved sanitation facilities, which may explain some of the persistent prevalence of communicable diseases.
Togolese healthcare resources can be very poor – and mostly provide basic medical services; the buildings often lack basic necessities such as running water and electricity. Due to the very limited local private health insurance options, arrangements must be made before travel.
Emergency evacuation is usually required for situations requiring medical attention outside of emergency care; therefore it is advised that a Togo health insurance plan, providing an emergency medical evacuation benefit, should be purchased in advance of departure.
Togo health risks
Regional, and worldwide health concerns present in Togo include Avian flu, Typhoid, Lassa virus, and Polio, as well as Tuberculosis and HIV. Water filters and purification tablets, iodine pills, sunscreen lotion, latex condoms, anti-diarrheal pills, and high strength alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be carried with you to the country.
Prior to departing for Togo, it is highly recommended that all travelers, or long term visitors, consult a medical professional who specializes in travel medicine. There are a number of routine vaccinations which should be up to date before arriving in the country, including;
- Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT)
- Polio
- Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
Travelers to Togo who are above one year of age are required to have a Yellow fever vaccination – without such a vaccination you may be refused entry into the country. Meningococcal diseases pose a threat throughout Togo, and as such, all travelers are advised to receive a vaccination against meningitis.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a serious problem in Togo, with 930 cases per 100,000 population, which is near twice the regional average and more than five times the global figure. It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of tuberculosis cases in Togo go unreported or are not tracked and that many are drug-resistant strains of the disease.
Malaria
Togo contains some tropical environments and outbreaks of malaria are common. Precautionary measures include anti-malarial pills, which should be bought prior to departure for the country, reputable insect repellents which should include the chemical DEET, the use of mosquito nets at night while sleeping, and the wearing of long-sleeved clothing while outside during the day.
Insect-borne diseases
Togo is prone to other insect-borne diseases aside from Malaria. River Blindness (Onchocerciasis), leishmaniasis, filariasis, and African sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) are all concerns throughout the country. Parasitic diseases present in Togo include diseases such as schistosomiasis.
Togo health insurance advice
If you are planning to visit West Africa and Togo is on your itinerary, Pacific Prime can assist with your Togo travel health insurance or Togo medical insurance needs. Our experienced and capable teams worldwide will provide a free consultation anytime 24 hours per day, with options for solo travelers, families, and tour groups. Policies cover medical services including dental, maternity, specialist consultation, transportation, inpatient services and more.
Contact a Pacific Prime advisor for further medical insurance details today.
