Cameroon Expat Health Insurance
The Republic of Cameroon, commonly referred to as Cameroon, is located in West Africa. It is divided into 10 regions and is inhabited by approximately 19.7 million people. Cameroon shares its borders with Gabon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Central Africa Republic. The national languages of Cameroon include English, French and approximately 24 other major dialects. Cameroon is a warm country with wet seasons from April to September in North and from June to October in the South.
The territory has been controlled by many different nations during its history. Portuguese explorers reached it in the 15th century; it later became a German colony before being divided between France and Britain after World War II. It finally gained independence in 1960.
Cameroon’s resources include oil and good agricultural conditions for growing cotton, cocoa, rubber, bananas and coffee. Its primary industries include timber, textiles, petroleum, aluminium and food processing which have developed due to political stability. The country however still remains very corrupt with a high rate of petty crime. Human trafficking is prevalent, violence and discrimination against women occurs frequently and almost half of its residents are living below the poverty line.
Cambodia Travel Advice
When travelling within Cameroon travellers should avoid using taxis and hire private drivers if possible, particularly at night. Unfortunately, taxi drivers and their associates often conspire to commit serious crimes against their passengers making taxis dangerous for travellers. The roads in Cameroon are poorly maintained and unsafe at all times of the year, especially during the rainy seasons as many of the roads are unpaved and in a poor condition. Road blocks are common and travellers may be asked to pay bribes to pass, doing so is not advisable.
Despite the setbacks for travellers, Cameroon offers many spectacular attractions for travellers including, palm tree lined beaches, rainforests, desserts, treks up Mt Cameroon an active volcano with the highest peak in West Africa, exploring the Mandara Mountains, or watching elephants in Parc National de Waza National Park. Essentially the country contains something for everyone.
If you are travelling to Cameroon be sure to bring plenty of cash with you, as ATMs are limited and traveller’s cheques are difficult to change. You can reach Cameroon by sea from Nigeria, by land through one of the many neighbouring countries or by air from major cities in Europe and Africa.
Travellers should be wary of volcanic activity in Cameroon which can release poisonous gases into the air. Mt Cameroon’s last eruption occurred recently in 2000. Travellers to Cameroon are at a very high risk of contracting infectious diseases including, diarrhoea, cholera, hepatitis A and typhoid, schistosomiasis, meningitis, rabies, malaria, HIV/AIDS and yellow fever.
Cameroon Healthcare System
Cameroon has been experiencing an outbreak of cholera since 2010 so travellers should take precautions. In 2010 cholera claimed over 500 lives with 7,800 cases being reported. To date in 2011 there have been more than 6,000 cases reported and 200 deaths. Travellers should only drink boiled or bottled water and should request that ice not be added to drinks. If diarrhoea is developed while travelling in Cameroon, medical treatment should be sought immediately.
The risk of contracting malaria in Cameroon is prevalent all year around and higher in Southern parts of the country. Therefore, travellers need to take precautions to protect themselves all year around. The number of reported cases of malaria, including incidences of people being hospitalised and deaths have been increasing from year to year. Infection from schistosomiasis is also a threat in Cameroon and travellers should avoid swimming in fresh water due to the risk of this contracting this parasitic infection. Visiting caves containing bats should also be avoided as bats spread rabies, histoplasmosis and Marburg hemorrhagic fever.
Travellers to Cameroon should ensure they seek medical advice at least 4-6 weeks before they arrive to ensure that vaccinations and anti malarial drugs have taken effect. Routine childhood vaccinations should be updated, including vaccinations for measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) and polio.
Travellers should also ensure that they have been vaccinated for yellow fever as it is a requirement to be allowed entry into Cameroon. Vaccinations against hepatitis A and hepatitis are also recommended. Additional vaccinations may also be advisable depending on the activities that you plan on undertaking in Cameroon and where you will be staying. Such vaccinations may include typhoid, meningitis and rabies.
The quality of healthcare in Cameroon is low, extremely limited and outside of large cities virtually nonexistent. This is partially due to the fact that many of the local residents prefer traditional healers to Western medical facilities. There is approximately one Doctor to every 10,000 people in Cameroon. The lack of Doctors has resulted in resident’s visiting nurses or other healthcare professionals when their health problem is routine and only visiting a Doctor when it is more serious.
The medical facilities available in Cameroon are often not well cleaned, access to equipment is limited and there is a lack of trained medical professionals. Medical facilities often require payment for their services immediately and the patient’s friends or family to purchase the required medical supplies from pharmacies. Pharmacies are well stocked in the larger cities but not so in more remote areas of Cameroon. Travellers are advised to take a supply of prescription and over the counter medicines with them when travelling to Cameroon. Travellers can phone 112 in major cities to contact ambulance services if the need arises.
Cameroon Expat Health Insurance
In the case that an emergency arises and serious medical treatment is required, travellers may need to be evacuated to nearby South Africa or Europe from Cameroon. Expat health insurance policies can be taken out which include full coverage of medical evacuation out of Cameroon in the case of emergency.
Global Health Insurance can assist you with purchasing health insurance if you choose to travel to Cameroon. Expat health insurance plans can guarantee you access to the best available healthcare facilities globally. Our team of experts can assist you and your family with purchasing a policy that meets your needs and includes such benefits as emergency evacuation, dental, maternity services and more. We offer a free service and work with many of the world’s top international medical insurers. Please contact us today for a free quotation and one of our experts will assist you.
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