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Senegal Expat Health Insurance

Senegal, or the Republic of Senegal, is a coastal country on the western African continent. To the south of the country is the Senegal River, the source of which is found in Guinea, which flows along the border of Senegal to east and north. Senegal is bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, Mali to the east, Mauritania to the north and, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. Senegal almost completely surrounds The Gambia. A population of 14 million people are dispersed over a land area of 196,723 square kilometres with a population density of 180.4 per square mile. Although Senegal’s official language is French, this is not widely spoken throughout the country. Regional languages are common, with one of the most commonly spoken being the Wolof language. The capital city and the largest city is Dakar. The currency of Senegal is the West African CFA franc. The climate is tropical with the wet season occurring between May and November; dry season takes place between the months of December and April.

Senegal gained its independence from France on the 4th of April 1960. The government operates under a system of a semi-presidential republic. Senegal’s main-stay economical actives are food processing, textiles, artificial fertilizer, refining petroleum, cement, chemicals, and tourism. Exports consist of phosphate mining, fertilizer products and commercial fishing. Gross domestic product in 2010 was estimated at US$23.86 billion; this accounts for a real growth rate of 3.9 percent, giving a per capita income of US$1,900. The Agricultural, industry, and services sector that same year accounted for 14.9 percent, 21.4 percent and 63.6 percent of GDP, respectively. Public debt that same year was 32.1 percent of GDP. The percentage of people living below the international poverty line of US$1.25 in 2001 was 32.1. The total funding provided by government to the health care system in 2008, as a percentage of gross domestic product, was 5.7 percent.

Senegal Healthcare System

The Senegalese National Health Care System provides services at three levels by the means of Health Posts, District Health Centres and Regional Hospitals. The country is also served by two university hospitals and a number of private health clinics.

The Senegalese health care system is unable to provide superior healthcare services due to a number of issues, including substandard medical infrastructure. There is an overall lack of training provided to medical staff in the country, which is compounded by limited incentives for medical professionals to work in rural areas of the country. leaving large areas of Senegal without access to competent medical care. According to current estimates there is one hospital per 545,800 inhabitants, one health centre per 175,000 persons, and one health post per 11,500 inhabitants. There is one physician per 17,000 persons, one health care worker per 8,700 persons and, one birth assistant and 4,600 persons.

According to 2011 estimates from the CIA there were 36.73 births per 1,000 persons. The infant mortality rate is 56.42 deaths per 1,000 live births with life expectancy for the total population was 59.78 years old; 57.85 years old for males and 61.77 years old for females. The total fertility rate was 4.78 children per woman. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS affecting the population is estimated at 0.9 percent accounting for some 59,000 people living with the virus.

Medical Care Services are delivered in rural areas on three levels. Initial care in Senegal is provided through general health centers and clinics. Typically these smaller clinics will have between 1 – 2 qualified physicians on staff, with nursing and administrative employees usually accounting for between 15 – 20 people working at each of these locations. Health Posts, which are dependent on the population density of various districts, are typically the second point of contact for Senegalese patients, with Health Points being the third, and most widely available method of receiving medical treatment. Health Points are administered by the nation’s Health Posts, however these smaller Points will normally not have a physician in attendance, traditionally only being staffed by nurses or midwifes.

Due to extreme distances and environmental conditions, access to rural health services is hampered. For the most part Senegal is served by a road network of sand or mud tracks, which even in normal weather conditions are difficult to navigate. Conditions worsen during the rainy season and harmattan, a dusty and dry trade wind during the dry season. Currently it is estimated that a fraction, 32 percent, of Senegalese households have access to rural medical services.

Hospitals and clinics in the capital Dakar have facilities to treat serious and minor injuries; although comparable services are rarely available in the rural areas of the country. Ensure that before you travel to Senegal, your expat health insurance covers the cost of transportation and repatriation if necessary.

Malaria contracted from the bite of the Anopheles mosquito is an infection of red blood cells with a parasite. Malaria is a risk in all areas of the country. This type of mosquito feeds during the hours of dusk till dawn compared with the Aedes mosquito that feed predominately during daylight hours. Dengue fever is contracted from the bite of the Aedes mosquito and it is a non-medication preventable disease. Malaria is a preventable disease. Tables are available for malaria prevention but do not guarantee 100 percent protection. To avoid bites from mosquitoes you are advised to wear insect repellent, long-sleeves and trousers, sleep in air-conditioned rooms and use bed-nets.

Senegal Travel Advice

Ensure that you consult with a health care professional before you travel to Senegal. A consultation will inform you of the various health risks and concerns associated with your trip. Routine vaccinations may need to be up-dated before you arrival to the country. Disease such as cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal meningitis, polio, rabies, tetanus, tuberculosis, and typhoid should be discussed as they are a threat of contracting while in the country. This is by no means a comprehensive list of the viruses that are currently affecting the country and should not substitute for a consultation with a trained professional.

It is common after dark for bandits to operate on the main highways, with a high number of incidents have been reported in the central and eastern area of Senegal, Tambacounda and Matam. Other known areas of incident are the National Road between Ndioum and Kidira and between Kidira and Tambacounda. All but essential travel to the Casamance region west of Kolda is recommended.

Since 1990, over 1,000 people have fallen victim to death by landmines. You are advised to be particularly cautious in Casamance. One should only travel on routes that are in frequent use.

Petty crime, purse-snatching and pick-pockets are common occurrences in Senegal you should be particularly cautious in cities. Walking alone on beaches or in isolated areas is ill advised, keep doors locked and windows closed while driving, and avoid walking on dark streets.

Senegal Expat Health Insurance

There are numerous scams in operation in Senegal ranging from advance-fee fraud, banking scams, business scams, visa scams, and dating scams. You are advised to use you commonsense in such matter, if an offer appears to be too good to be true then more then likely it’s a scam. Before investing any scheme you should perform meticulously research.

Access to adequate healthcare in Senegal is patchy at best, and while major urban centers may be able to provide basic medical services serious injuries or illnesses may require emergency medical transport out of Senegal. Expat health insurance can ensure that not only will your hospital bills be covered, but additional expenses such as medical evacuation and repatriation are often covered as well. If you are considering visiting Senegal contact Global Health Insurance today to discuss a range of international health care services available to you. Global Health Insurance is in the position to offer you a wealth of professional customer services if you are looking for proper insurance cover in Senegal. Expat health insurance can provide benefits across a range of medical treatments, including dental, maternity, existing conditions, evacuation etc. To ensure you avoid any unnecessary health care expenses call Global Health Insurance today.