The foreign office has issued a stark warning for around one million tourists heading to one African country.
New warnings published on the government’s foreign travel advice for Cape Verde warns of the limitations of available medical facilities for visitors. The fresh advice published on February 24 states that medical facilities across Cape Verde are “basic and limited”.
Furthermore, access to certain medications could also prove difficult as “some medicines are in short supply or unavailable”. Boa Vista, an island situated in the east of Cape Verde, has been pointed out in particular by the foreign office for having limited medical facilities available.
However, if you are concerned about the availability of hospitals in Cape Verde, it’s important to note that the largest hospitals in the country are located in Prai on Santiago and Mindelo on Sao Vicente. Furthermore the islands of Brava and Santo Antao are especially difficult for receiving medical air evacuation as neither of them have a working airport.
Tourists may also run into language barriers when visiting Cape Verde as the official language, which dictates most written and spoken communication, is Portugese. However, official guidance has highlighted that there are two hospital in particular where staff speak English, these are:
- Clinica Boa Esperanca, Boa Vista
- Clinitur, Santa Maria
Advice if you take regular medication
Further foreign office advice states that the legal status and regulations of some medicines prescribed throughout the UK can be different in other countries. When it comes to purchasing medication in Cape Verde, you will only be able to do so from a registered pharmacy.
If you are travelling with medication, you should ensure you have enough to last for the duration of your trip. In the event that you run out of medication, you can use a UK prescription at a pharmacy but there is a chance you might not be able to receive the same strength or dosage.
Meanwhile, if you need a repeat prescription, you can go to your nearest health centre or hospital emergency department. A full list of Cape Verde’s registered pharmacies approved by the country’s Ministry of Health can be found here.