Sierra Leone Expat Health Insurance
The Republic of Sierra Leone, also known simply as Sierra Leone, is a coastal country on the West African continent. Sierra Leone shares its border to the southeast with Liberia, with Guinea located to the country’s north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Sierra Leone’s capital, and largest city, is Freetown. The nation’s official language is English, and the local currency is the Leone (SLL).
Sierra Leone has a population of 6.4 million people who are dispersed over a land area of 71.740 square kilometers. Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom on the 27th of April 1961, with the country declaring itself a Republic on the 19th of April 1971. Governance in Sierra Leone is in the form of a constitutional republic.
The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2010 was US$ 1.905 billion; the economy is experiencing significant positive growth at a rate of 5 percent. In 2010 the per capita earning was US$ 900. Agriculture accounts for 49 percent of Sierra Leone’sGDP, with industry (including manufacturing) at 31 percent and the services sector at 21 percent. In 2007 the labor force consisted of 2.207 million people; however current estimates of local unemployment figures are unknown. Sierra Leone’s Public debt in 2003 was US$ 1.3 billion.
Sierra Leone Healthcare System
Sierra Leone’s total per capita expenditure on health care services in 2009 was US$ 106. Total health care expenditure in 2009, as a percentage of GDP, was 13.1 percent. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation is responsible for the administration of the health care system in Sierra Leone. Other bodies that provide health care services within the country are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private medical facilities. Any usage of medical facilities within Sierra Leone will incur a fee, even at one of the 100 plus NGO clinics operating within the country. At the end of the civil war the Ministry of Health and Sanitation changed the structure of the health care system in order to decentralized services and increase coverage.
Sierra Leone is divided into 13 health districts. These districts are derived from the nation’s administrative zones, with the exception of the West Area Rural and West Area Urban communities; these areas are combined and fall under the directive of the Western Area Health district. As a result of the Sierra Leone Civil War there has been a severe lack of investment in heath care facilities; while the country’s medical and healthcare situation is improving, the process is slow.
Primary health care facilities are provided by Peripheral health Units (PHU) which are staffed by over a 100 technically competent medical professionals. The management teams of these PHU facilities are responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring the provision of local healthcare, training medical personnel, working directly with the community, and supplying medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. PHUs are the first point of contact in the Sierra Leone health care system. Material and health care posts are located in towns of 500-2000 people.
The next level in the health care system is community health centers whose responsibility it is to implement preventative measures and health promotion campaigns, as well as overseeing the management of PUHs. Community health posts operate at the next level and provide a similar function to community centers. However, community health posts have fewer facilities than community centers and they usually refer patients to either community health centre or district hospitals.
In April 2010 the “Free Health Care Medical Insurance” scheme was launched in Sierra Leone. The aim of the scheme is to provide free health care for pregnant and breast-feeding women and children under the age of five years old. Coverage has still not reached 100 percent of the target demographic even though medical equipment has been ordered and drugs have been distributed. The scheme cost US$ 19 million to put in place, with the aim of saving millions of lives. The implementation of the scheme caused wide spread strikes as workers believed that free health care would increase their workload and working hours.
The government alleviated the concerns related to the Free Health Care Medical Insurance scheme by increasing pay by 200 to 500 percent. Funding for this scheme is supplied by the United Kingdom and the United Nations; monies received are then directed towards the provision of pharmaceuticals within local communities, refurbishment of medical facilities, and wages for healthcare professionals throughout the country. The United Kingdom’s contributions came from the Department for International Development (DFID), and amounted to some US$ 22.6 million. The UK has announced additional funding over a three year period which will see Sierra Leone receive approximately US$ 70.5 for the “Reproduction and Child Health Care” plan.
Traditional medicine is also popular in Sierra Leone with a training school having been constructed at Makeni, and a healing Centre at Kono. Workshops promoting co-operation between the medical establishment and traditional practitioners are run regularly.
The conditions of medical facilities within Sierra Leone are best described as “poor”. It is imperative that you purchase comprehensive travel medical or expat health insurance before you enter the country to avoid paying for any treatment out-of-pocket. Due to the poor standard of care within Sierra Leone, expat health insurance and travel insurance policies should include emergency evacuation cover.
According to estimates, the population of Sierra Leone will experience a growth rate of 2.248 percent in 2011. Estimates for the birth rate for that same year are 38.46 births per 1,000 inhabitants, while the death rate is estimated to be 11.73 per 1,000 inhabitants. The infant morality rate is set at 78.38 deaths per 1,000 live births. The average life expectancy for males is 53.69 years from birth while females are expected to live on average 58.65 years from birth. The total fertility rate is currently at 4.94 children born per woman. The net migration rate is expected to be -4.25 migrants per 1,000 people ranking it first in the world. The rate of urbanization is 38 percent of the total population.
Sierra Leone Travel Advice & Information
The political situation in Sierra Leone has stabilized since conflict ended in 2002. In 2007 the country held elections for the second time during the month of August – September. These elections passed off peacefully as did the elections of 2008. However, you should be aware that tension still remains between the different party supporters, in Southern and Eastern areas of the country in particular. Demonstrators wear red, green or orange clothing to represent the different government parties; you should avoid all large gatherings and demonstrations as they have the potential to turn violent. Political tension in Liberia and Guinea could cause a knock on effect in Sierra Leone, as well as Cote d’Ivoire. Before travelling to border areas with these countries consult with local news and the Travel Advice of your embassy.
The vast majority of Sierra Leone’s population are Muslim and while they have a very tolerant Islamic culture you should respect local laws and customs and ensure you do not cause offense during the month of Ramadan if you visit religious areas.
There are heavy penalties for those convicted of drug taking or diamond smuggling. Homosexual acts are illegal in Sierra Leone and one should be cautious with public displays of affection. UNICEF is working with the government of Sierra Leone to eradicate child trafficking. If you are considering adopting a child from the country ensure that the plans with all laws and regulations of the Sierra Leone Adoption Law. You can contact the Sierra Leone Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs by telephone or Fax on 00 232 76 624 597.
In order to enter the country you will need to apply for a visa, you can do this at the nearest Sierra Leone Embassy. You must be in possession of a visa before you enter the country. You must have a valid yellow fever vaccination before you will be allowed entry into the country. Therefore it is vital that you consult with a travel medical care professional at least eight weeks before you travel to the country to ensure all routine and non-routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Lassa fever, rabies, water-borne diseases, malaria and other tropical diseases are common to Sierra Leone. Cholera remains a constant problem and there are sporadic outbreaks across the country.
There are no central emergency services operating within the country; each hospital provides ambulatory services but response time are slow and unreliable, and these services are non-existent outside major cities. You are advised to carry basic medical supplies.
Sierra Leone Expat Health Insurance
Conditions of healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone are poor at best and it is highly recommended to find insurance that can cover you for transportation to a quality medical facility, which may be in another country, in case here is a medical emergency in Sierra Leone. Expat health insurance can ensure that you are covered in cases of emergency, ensuring you get the care you need without the financial burden. If you intend to travel to Sierra Leone contact Global Health Insurance today to discuss, free of charge a range of international medical insurance policies that are available to you or your group. Our team of Expat medical insurance specialists are in the position to provide you with the best advice and services, and our policies can be tailor made to suit all budgets and health care needs.
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