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Samoa Health Insurance

A very small island nation located 1,100 kilometers off the northeastern coast of Fiji in the southern hemisphere, Samoa is a former British colony and was under the administration of New Zealand until it became the first country in the South Pacific to gain independence in 1962. The indigenous culture is very similar to neighboring American Samoa and the two entities are friendly, but due to the encroachment of western civilization in modern times and the fact that American Samoa is a territory of the United States and under its rule and conditions, whereas Samoa is sovereign and seeking to restore and protect its native culture, differences thus now abound. This article will deal directly with Samoa, and precludes conditions in American Samoa unless expressly stated.

Since gaining independence, Samoa has had a long standing history of support through foreign aid. With few natural resources on which to build an economy, and a population of only about 220,000, this aid is much needed to fund the plans of modernization that are underway. Electrical service is available in all towns and nearly every village and all have access to running water, though it may not be plumbed into the home in the villages. Flushing toilets are in almost every building in towns, though outhouses are still common in rural areas. Samoans in general value education, which has served to keep the population healthier and promote participation in vaccination programs, reducing the occurrence of disease. The literacy rate is at 90 percent and many parents encourage at least one child in the family to consider university education.

Samoa Healthcare System

The general health of Samoa has improved drastically over the last three decades do to better medical care and preventative measures. The Samoan health system, under the administration of the Ministry of Health, oversees the dispensation of necessary medical treatment to all Samoans and largely pays the bill for treatment received, essentially making it the Samoan national health insurance program with funding mostly from foreign aid. Through this system, the two public hospitals, Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital and Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital are open to all. There is also one private hospital, MedCen, which is available at cost to the patient. Additionally, several clinics, both public and private, as well as “district hospitals” (essentially emergency clinics) are available throughout the two main islands.

Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, a 240 bed facility located in the capital city of Apia on Upolu island, offers emergency, primary, secondary, and some tertiary care to its patients. As the National Hospital of Samoa, departments include surgery, outpatient services, emergency care, pediatrics, anesthesia, and OB-GYN. It serves as the headquarters for the Ministry of Health and is also the only teaching hospital in Samoa, offering training and residencies to doctors from both Samoa and other parts of Oceania. On Savai'i island, in the village of Tuasivi is the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital. Also public but much smaller, at only about 20 beds, services there are more limited as well but include pathology, dental, imaging, and pharmaceuticals. Both hospitals are part of the greater network of national health care and have right of referral to specialists on an as needed basis as well as receiving patients referred by clinic doctors and rural health facilities. The public healthcare system is open to anyone, Samoan and foreigner alike. Foreigners, however are expected to pay, often before receiving treatment, either out of pocket or through a prearranged traveler's health insurance package.

Private medical care is available in Apia at MedCen as well as a few private clinics on both islands, though without the benefit of government payment assistance given to Samoans. Most who choose this care are enrolled in some form of private Samoa medical insurance or a traveler's health insurance package. It should be noted that due to higher wages paid at the private hospital and clinics, there is a trend to find better care there, though most Samoans do not choose private health care due to cost. Opened in 1998, MedCen was the first private hospital in the South Pacific and became internationally certified in 2003 when it received the ISO 9000:1994 certification by Quality Assurance Services, Sydney, Australia. Its offerings include two surgical suites, diagnostics, clinical services, dental, labor and delivery, midwifery, laboratory testing, imaging and ultrasound, an emergency room, and four full-time doctors, as well as nursing staff and other professionals. All of these services are available to anyone, however payment is to be arranged privately either out of pocket or through third party health insurance.

While care at all facilities is considered adequate for most ailments, they are not as modern as most western hospitals and some treatments are not available. In the case where treatment is not available domestically, there is usually no choice but to travel to Australia, New Zealand, or Hawaii for care. In an emergency situation, this will require air ambulance and incur great cost. It is therefore wise to consider traveler's insurance offering this coverage prior to arrival in Samoa.

Samoa Travel Advice

With abundant sea life, Samoa is a diver's paradise. Anyone planning on diving should be aware however that there is no decompression chamber in Samoa and the nearest facility is in Fiji, over 1,000 kilometers away. This will require air evacuation. Due to this, and the fact that no health care in Samoa is not extended free of charge to foreigners, it is suggested that all tourists, travelers, and expatriates purchase a Samoa health insurance package from a private source. When making the purchase, consider your planned actives there ensure that any form of coverage needed is provided, whether it is emergency only, air evacuation only, or all inclusive.

Common diseases include tuberculosis, dengue fever, occasional cholera, and water borne parasites. Skin rashes and ringworm are also common given the warm, wet climate and often muddy conditions. All travelers should ensure that their routine vaccinations are up to date and are advised to receive vaccination for hepatitis A and B as well as typhoid before arrival in Samoa. Anyone who requires prescription medications on a regular basis is recommended to take a sufficient amount with them for the duration of their stay as some medications are not readily available. Tap water is not considered safe to drink and should be boiled, filtered, or chemically treated, otherwise bottled water is safest. Interestingly to outsiders, food is abundant, however the culture in Samoa is to only eat two meals a day with light snacks in between. Those visiting, particularly with an outreach group such as the Peace Corps which has a long history in Samoa and expects its volunteers to live closely with Samoan society, may need to plan accordingly as this will likely take some time to get used to the local eating custom.

Samoa Expat Health Insurance

Those planning travel to Samoa are wise to go prepared. Whether relocating for work, visiting on holiday, or adventure traveling, it is best to evaluate your medical insurance needs and purchase coverage accordingly, prior to arrival in Samoa. Expat health insurance policies that we work with can offer a wide variety of benefit levels and coverage items and often, knowing what may be best suited to your needs can be complicated to understand. Global Health Insurance is able free of charge to assist you in selecting the plan that best fits your needs during your time, however long or short that may be, in Samoa. Expat health insurance can cover you around the world and can offer you a range of coverage options, including maternity, dental and specialist treatment. No matter your nationality, trip itinerary, duration of stay, group size, or budget, Global Health Insurance has advisors who will help you to find the right coverage to fit your needs.