Cape Verde Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Cape Verde — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) has basic but functional healthcare on the two main islands. Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia, Santiago) is the main referral hospital. Hospital Baptista de Sousa (Mindelo, São Vicente) is the second-largest. Sal and Boa Vista (main tourist islands) have basic hospitals/health centres — serious cases transfer to Praia or abroad. Medical evacuation to Lisbon, Dakar, or Canary Islands is common for complex cases. Most doctors are Portuguese-trained or Cuban-trained.
System type: Public healthcare system + limited private sector. Healthcare quality varies significantly by island.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 130 (ambulance) or 132 (fire) or 131 (police)
Typical response time: 15-30 minutes on main islands. Variable on smaller islands.
Costs: Public ER: very affordable (ECV 500-2,000/$5-20). Private clinic: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50). Medical evacuation abroad: $15,000-40,000.
Call 130 for ambulance. Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia) is the main facility. Sal and Boa Vista tourist islands have basic hospitals — complex cases transfer to Praia by inter-island flight. Diving injuries on Sal: no hyperbaric chamber — evacuation to Canary Islands.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Public health centres and limited private clinics. Portuguese language essential. Resort hotels may arrange doctor visits.
Typical wait: Public: 1-4 hours. Private: same-day.
Typical cost: Public: ECV 500-1,000 ($5-10). Private: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50).
Adequate on Santiago (Praia) and São Vicente (Mindelo). Basic on Sal and Boa Vista. Very limited on other islands.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A (strongly recommended), Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies (dogs present), Tetanus booster
Dengue present — use mosquito repellent. Zika may be present. No malaria on most islands. Water hygiene: drink bottled water.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: limited
Most nationalities require visa — available on arrival or as e-Visa. Airport tax sometimes charged separately. EASE pre-registration system streamlines entry.
Documents to prepare:
- Passport
- Travel insurance with MEDICAL EVACUATION coverage
- Prescriptions
- Medications from home (limited pharmacy stock)
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: ECV 2,000-5,000 ($20-50)
Emergency care without insurance: ECV 2,000-10,000 ($20-100). Evacuation: $15,000-40,000.
Medication: Very limited pharmacy stock, especially on tourist islands (Sal, Boa Vista). Bring ALL medications from home. Basic medications available but selection is poor.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm typically. Very limited hours on smaller islands. No 24-hour pharmacies.
Over the counter: Limited range. Bring what you need.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions for all medications.
Things that catch visitors out in Cape Verde
- Tourist islands (Sal, Boa Vista) have BASIC healthcare only — serious cases fly to Praia
- No hyperbaric chamber — diving injuries require evacuation to Canary Islands
- Portuguese is essential — English very limited in healthcare settings
- Pharmacy stock is very limited — bring ALL medications from home
- Medical evacuation insurance is absolutely essential for Cape Verde
- Healthcare is very affordable but quality is basic compared to Europe
Practical tips for travellers
- Hospital Agostinho Neto (Praia, Santiago) — main referral hospital for all Cape Verde
- Bring ALL medications, sunscreen, and first-aid supplies — pharmacy stock limited
- Medical evacuation insurance is CRITICAL — nearest advanced care is Canary Islands or Lisbon
- Portuguese language skills or translation app essential for medical interactions
- Sal and Boa Vista: ask your hotel about doctor-on-call services
- Dengue prevention: use insect repellent, especially during rainy season (Aug-Oct)
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