Cameroon Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Cameroon — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Cameroon has basic healthcare in Douala (economic capital) and Yaoundé (political capital) with several private clinics and hospitals. Centre Hospitalier d'Essos and Clinique de la Cathédrale in Yaoundé are decent options. Public hospitals are overcrowded and under-equipped. Northern regions and Anglophone crisis areas (NW/SW) have severely disrupted services. Malaria is endemic nationwide. Yellow fever vaccination required.
System type: Mixed public-private. Underfunded public system. Reasonable private clinics in Douala and Yaoundé.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 112 or 119 (police)
Typical response time: 30-60+ minutes in major cities; unreliable elsewhere
Costs: Public $10-50; private $50-500+ USD
Ambulance service unreliable. Private transport to hospital is common.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private clinics; public hospitals accept walk-ins
Typical wait: Same day at private; 2-6 hours at public
Typical cost: $20-80 USD at private clinics
Douala and Yaoundé have adequate private options; very limited in north and rural areas
Vaccines for travel
Required: Yellow fever vaccine REQUIRED for entry
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Meningococcal (especially for northern regions), Rabies, Malaria prophylaxis (ESSENTIAL), Cholera (for high-risk areas)
Yellow fever certificate MANDATORY. Malaria endemic throughout — prophylaxis essential. Meningitis belt covers northern regions. Cholera outbreaks periodic.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
Documents to prepare:
- Travel insurance with evacuation cover
- Yellow fever certificate
- Passport
- Visa
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: $20-80 USD
Emergency care without insurance: $100-2,000+ USD
Medication: Pharmacies available in cities. Quality of medications may vary — buy from reputable pharmacies only.
Things that catch visitors out in Cameroon
- Anglophone crisis makes NW/SW regions dangerous — avoid travel there
- Payment upfront required at most facilities
- French is essential for medical consultations outside anglophone regions
- Counterfeit medications are a risk at informal sellers
Practical tips for travellers
- Clinique de la Cathédrale (Yaoundé) and Clinique Fouda — good private options
- Always carry cash — many clinics don't accept cards
- Avoid travel to NW and SW regions due to ongoing conflict
- Anti-malarial prophylaxis is ESSENTIAL
- French language skills critical for medical care
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