Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IN MADAGASCAR
Availability & Cost of Health Care
GETTING TREATED
Pharmacies For minor problems such as cuts, bites, upset stomachs or colds, pharmacies
should be your first port of call in Madagascar. Pharmacists are, on the whole, well trained,
the pharmacies are clean and well stocked, and there is an efficient on-call rotation in most
towns and cities (generally displayed in the window). Most drugs and bandages cost the
same or a little less than in developed countries (generic drugs are used more widely).
Medical centres & hospitals For more serious conditions, you will need to go to a medical
centre or a hospital. Public hospitals are, on the whole, poorly equipped and underfunded,
but they are sometimes the only option available (note that patients often have to buy medi-
cine, sterile dressings, intravenous fluids etc from the local pharmacy). There are good med-
ical centres in touristy areas such as Nosy Be and good private facilities in Antananarivo.
For anything serious, however, you will need to be evacuated to RĂ©union (a French territory)
or South Africa.
Dentists There are dentists across Madagascar, and their standard of care varies from excel-
lent to bad.
STANDARDS
Health care standards vary a lot from one practitioner to another and from one hospital to
the next: standards are on the whole pretty good in Antananarivo, but are patchy outside the
capital. If you find yourself in need of medical assistance, contact your embassy or consu-
late for a list of recommended practitioners or establishments in your area. Your insurance
company may also have advice.
TAP WATER
Madagascar's water is not safe to drink from the taps anywhere in the country -
including the most expensive hotels. Bottled water (Ar1800 to Ar4000) is avail-
able throughout the country. If you can get clear water from a tap or well, water-
purifying tablets are a good option.
If you're planning to get off the beaten track, consider investing in a portable
water filter/steriliser such as SteriPen (about US$100) or LifeStraw (about
US$20).
Avoid ice in drinks without first asking if it's been made from filtered water.
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