• Individual plans
• Family plans
• Group plans
• Travel plans
• Teacher plans

Kiribati Expat Health Insurance

Grouped in the Pacific Ocean, an archipelago of 32 coral atolls and one volcanic island span an impressive 3.5 million kilometers of ocean, and make up the tiny nation of Kiribati with a total land mass of just 811 square kilometers. Straddling the equator, the country’s capital Tarawa, is a small atoll situated approximately half way between Australia and Hawaii. Home to the biggest marine reserve in the South Pacific, Kiribati offers tourists the opportunity to explore extensive reefs, turquoise lagoons, and engage in sport-fishing and diving expeditions. Cultural experiences, historic sites and ecotourism opportunities await the adventure tourist on many of the atolls. Tourism is important to the domestic economy, however as the industry is relatively small, tourism facilities are not readily available. This being the case, expats should take care in choosing tour operators and ensure health insurance is arranged which is appropriate for any activities one expects to undertake.

Known as the Gilbert Islands under British rule, Kiribati shook off its colonial rulers in 1979, becoming an independent republic, although the country still relies on donations, mostly from its South Pacific neighbors, to support development. The country’s economy is vulnerable to the fluctuations in global demand for coconut, from which Kiribati’s leading export product, copra, is derived. The majority of its 100,800 populace (UN, 2010) engage in fishing and subsistence farming, growing food crops of papaya, bananas and breadfruit; however food production can be limited due to infertile soil and contamination by seawater. Kiribati’s low-lying atolls are also exposed to changes in weather and rising sea levels, with the highest land little more than two meters above sea-level. This has prompted migration to the capital of a large number of inhabitants from some, and putting pressure on infrastructure in Tarawa, where most have migrated to. Moderating the heat and humidity, trade winds assist a cooling breeze, providing a typically tropical climate with little variance in temperature throughout the year, averaging about 28 degrees C.

Kiribati Health Care and Insurance

A well established and publicly funded health system operates in Kiribati, administered by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. The health system is centralized, with two major hospitals, one in the capital the other on Christmas Island. Primary healthcare is provided through health centers and dispensaries, which are located on the more populated islands and manned by medical assistants. These medical assistants are registered nurses who have undertaken supplementary training and are also responsible for supervising up to eight dispensaries, along with undertaking their core primary healthcare work. Basic surgical and maternity services are also available, as are a range of curative services. Patients requiring tertiary care need to travel overseas for treatment, subject to meeting specific criteria set by the governing Ministry of Health. Operating in parallel to the Government funded system are traditional healers, which are popular with locals. Healers provide medical services in the form of local medicines, massage, antenatal services, as well as childbirth and postnatal care. While the majority of the Kiribati people use both the formal and traditional forms of health services, there is no co-ordination between these two systems. It is generally considered that medical services in Kiribati are under-developed and provide a decreased level of care than that which expatriates would normally experience. It is therefore important anyone travelling within Kiribati arrange international medical and travel insurance, in the event hospitalization may be required.

Despite a well established system and steady improvement of health indicators over the last decade, estimated life expectancy is still lower than most of the other Pacific islands, at 64 years for males, and 66 years for females (CIA 2011). The country relies heavily on foreign aid to improve health outcomes of its population. The Government struggles to provide adequate hospital facilities relying on external development partners to assist in infrastructure improvements. Hospital facilities are considered substandard, and face shortages of medication and other supplies. Many of the nation’s negative heath trends can be attributed to the quality of water supply and water shortages, with shortages not uncommon due to prolonged periods of drought. Supply of fresh water is limited, exasperated by some supply being withdrawn due to fecal contamination. A major public health concern is the protection of water sources from pollution, the threat most prevalent from the sanitation systems nearby well-water sources, and contamination by encroaching salt water. Heavy pollution is of concern, and is most pronounced in Tarawa, as a result of significant migration causing overcrowding, as well as practices such as the tradition of using lagoon latrines.

At a significant disadvantage due to its small population, isolation and its geographical nature, complex challenges exist in providing cost effective medical care, compounded by shortages of trained personnel and the ability to extend services to outer islands. Transportation and communication are difficult and costly due to the atolls being scattered over a vast area of ocean. Aid agencies have reported that medical evacuation has been required due to superficial injuries, but patient conditions have deteriorated as a result of infection. As there are only limited flights from Kiribati to Fiji, and no direct flights to countries such as the United States, where a high-standard of medical care would be readily available, an expensive medical evacuation could result from seemingly non-serious conditions, making the case for Kiribati medical insurance an absolute necessity.

An ageing healthcare workforce is a further challenge to the health care system, and the country currently relies on retired medical personnel, employed on a contract basis, to meet some of the demand for services. Future requirements for medical professionals are unlikely to be met given the current intake of medical students undertaking training. Further challenges exist, such as the availability of equipment and medications, and the maintenance of facilities, thus impacting on the quality of health services delivered.

Kiribati Travel Insurance Concerns

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that before travelling to Kiribati, vaccinations could be required for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Typhoid. Seeing a healthcare provider, ideally 4-6 weeks before departure, and one which specializes in travel medicine is recommended. Hepatitis A, reportedly one of the most common diseases contracted while travelling, usually results from exposure to contaminated food or water. Likewise, Typhoid is also contracted through the same means. All water in Kiribati should be considered a potential health risk, therefore care should be taken to reduce one’s chances of illness by applying basic hygiene principles, especially prior to eating, and avoiding ice in drinks and drinking bottled water only. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through infected blood or body fluids, and the vaccination is recommended in the event travelers could be exposed to the disease through the likes of medical treatment or via sexual contact with locals.

Seasonal outbreaks of Dengue Fever occur, which poses a health concern. The viral disease is common to tropical and sub-tropical climates, and is generally transmitted person-to-person by an infected mosquito. Infected humans act as a source, and once contracted, mosquitoes are then capable of spreading dengue for the remainder of their lives. Precautionary measures are especially important as there is no viable vaccine for protection against the virus, therefore the CDC notes that using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and spraying rooms with bug-spray are measures which should be used to prevent bites. Despite Yellow Fever presenting no risk for individuals travelling to or resident in Kiribati, the Government requires anyone arriving from a country with the risk of Yellow Fever, provide proof of having been vaccinated for the disease. This also applies where countries with a risk of virus transmission have been visited on route to Kiribati. Travel advisories note there is a low crime rate within Kiribati however it is recommended that comprehensive expatriate travel and medical insurance should be organized in order to cover unexpected costs such as medical bills, or stolen belongings should these events occur.

Kiribati Expat Health Insurance

Kiribati is an impoverished nation, and the Government struggles to provide adequate infrastructure for health services. The standard of facilities throughout the nation including in the capital, are substandard when compared to western facilities and due to limited transport within and to/from Kiribati, an expensive medical evacuation may be the only option available to receive adequate care. Global Health Insurance has various international medical insurance plans available for both long and short-term travel, and policies can be tailored to meet specific needs, whether you are travelling around the world or just to Kiribati. Expat Health Insurance Policies can typically be transferred worldwide and can include inpatient services, repatriation and emergency evacuation, doctor consultations, medications, specialist care, maternity coverage and many more. To ensure a medical emergency does not become a financial burden, contact one of our Kiribati expat health insurance experts for assistance on the global health care insurance package that is right for you and your family. You’ll receive friendly and helpful advice at no cost.