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Seychelles Expat Health Insurance

The Republic of Seychelles is an archipelago island nation situated in the Indian Ocean, to the northeast of Madagascar. There are 115 islands in total and they cover a maritime area of 1.4 million square kilometers. With an approximate population of 87,000 people, the Seychelles are the least populated African nation and just 30 of the islands are inhabited by people. The Seychelles is a member of the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth of Nations with a democratically elected President who acts as both head of government and head of state. Tourism is the main proponent of the local economy and it employs approximately 30 percent of the national workforce. Fishing and agriculture are also prominent with fish, cinnamon and coconuts being the main products for export. French and English are the country’s two official languages and there are large ethnic groups of French, African, Indian and Chinese residents on the islands.

Seychelles Health Care and Insurance

Affordable and accessible health care is available to all citizens of the Seychelles and is provided by the state through the Ministry of Health. Primary level health care services are administered free of charge through health clinics and hospitals. The most populous island is Mahe and it is here where up to 90 percent of the population resides. The capital city, Victoria, is located on Mahe and it has a population of 30,000 people. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the country’s health facilities can be found here and on other large islands such as La Digue and Praslin. Health facilities are sparse and limited on the smaller islands and are generally staffed by a resident doctor and an assistant. Travelers and expatriates relocating to or visiting the Seychelles must be aware that should they seek medical treatment at one of the country’s health facilities, they will be required to pay in cash before any treatment will be provided. It is therefore important to purchase an international Seychelles health insurance policy for the duration of your time on the islands.

The Anse Royale and the Victoria are two public sector hospitals serving residents in the capital city Victoria. Both are capable of providing a range of in-patient and out-patient services including emergency services and treatment. Some specialist services are also available although complicated treatments and surgeries cannot be performed at these facilities. Smaller hospitals are located on the islands of Silhouette, Praslin and La Digue and they also offer primary level health services. Private health facilities in the form of medical clinics can be found on the island of Mahe. These clinics offer a similar range of services to those offered at the Victoria and Anse Royale hospitals although the costs associated with treatment there are considerably more expensive. Expatriates and travelers prefer to use these private medical clinics as they are more accessible and waiting times are generally shorter than at public health facilities.

Seychelles Travel Advice

A large number of expatriate doctors are employed in both public and private health facilities on the Seychelles. These health professionals are typically employed for two to three years before returning to their home country or moving elsewhere. This has created a high turnover of medical staff at some facilities and it has added to administration difficulties which in turn increase waiting times for certain treatments. As is common with most public sector health facilities, waiting times at the country’s two main hospitals on Mahe can be quite long. Facilities on remote islands are virtually non-existent and citizens who require specialist treatment must travel to Mahe, placing extra pressure on the facilities there. There are no such problems at Mahe’s private health clinics and travelers and expatriates who may wish to use these facilities should note that costs are high and investing in an international Seychelles health insurance policy is recommended.

The hot and humid climate of the Seychelles has ensured that some tropical diseases and illnesses are prevalent to the region. A consultation with a travel health specialist at least four weeks prior to your arrival on the islands is advised. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Typhoid are recommended. Diseases spread through the bite of an infected mosquito such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya sporadically occur and reducing the risk of insect bites can help prevent contracting these diseases. Cases of Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease found in water, soil and vegetation have occurred in 2011 and symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common ailment among expatriates and travelers in the Seychelles. Immediate medical assistance should be sought in the event of experiencing gastro-intestinal discomfort.

Crime levels in the Seychelles are low and most visits are trouble free. There is a risk of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Sailing vessels are vulnerable and travel by yacht more than 12 miles from coast is not advised. Two fatal shark attacks in the early part of 2011 on the island of Praslin have resulted in a ban on swimming and bathing in certain beaches. Travelers visiting this island should adhere to local instructions from the Maritime Safety Authority and avoid the waters in this area until further notice. The island of Mahe is quite mountainous and roads are often narrow with steep drops. Safety barriers are rare and drivers are urged to use caution when driving, particularly at night.

Seychelles Expat Health Insurance

Health facilities on the Seychelles are adequate and most illnesses can be treated to a satisfactory level. Expatriates, tourists and non-nationals must pay in cash before any treatment will be confirmed; therefore, it is advisable to purchase an Seychelles expat health insurance policy. Some specialist treatments are available at the public and private hospitals in Victoria although complicated procedures may require air evacuation to a country with state of the art facilities that are unavailable in the Seychelles. Expat health insurance can ensure that you will get access to top level medical facilities anywhere in the world, and help you get there in an emergency. Global Health Insurance can assist you through the various insurance options that offer you and your family sufficient protection. For more information on Seychelles international health insurance plans, or for a free quote, please contact a Global Health Insurance advisor today.