Healthcare

Healthcare in Vanuatu

Healthcare in Vanuatu is limited, and this is one of the most important factors for expats to understand and plan for. Serious medical issues typically require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand.

Healthcare Infrastructure

Port Vila:

• Vila Central Hospital - main public hospital
• Several private clinics for routine care
• Some specialist services available

Outside Port Vila:

• Very basic health centers
• Limited emergency services
• Outer islands have minimal facilities

What's Available Locally

Typical Costs

• Doctor visit (private): $40-60 USD
• Dental checkup: $50-80 USD
• Hospital stay: $100-200/day (basic)
• Prescription medications: Variable, limited selection

Medical Evacuation - Essential

This cannot be overstated: medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for living in Vanuatu.

For serious conditions - heart attacks, major trauma, complicated surgeries, cancer treatment - you will need to fly to:

• Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne)
• New Zealand (Auckland)

Evacuation costs without insurance:

• Air ambulance to Australia: $50,000-100,000+
• Commercial flight medevac: $15,000-30,000+
• Hospital care abroad: Tens of thousands

Insurance options:

• Cigna Global: ~$100-200/month (mid-tier plans)
• AXA Global Healthcare: Similar pricing
• Local medevac policies: $3,000-5,000 AUD/year

For Different Expat Situations

Digital nomads:

• Basic private insurance + medevac coverage
• Keep prescriptions filled before arrival
• Nearest quality care is 3-hour flight away

Retirees:

• Comprehensive international health insurance essential
• Consider proximity to Port Vila (don't live on remote islands)
• Regular checkups in Australia/NZ may be practical

Families with children:

• Pediatric care is very limited
• Vaccination programs exist but limited
• Serious consideration needed for family medical emergencies

Practical Health Tips

1. Bring medications - stock up on prescriptions before arrival; pharmacies have limited selection
2. Malaria exists in Vanuatu - take prophylaxis if traveling to outer islands
3. Dengue fever is present - use mosquito protection
4. Water safety - stick to bottled or filtered water
5. Cyclone/disaster preparedness - keep first aid supplies and emergency medications

Mental Health

Mental health services are essentially nonexistent in Vanuatu. If mental health support is important to you:

• Telehealth services with providers in Australia/NZ
• Online therapy platforms (BetterHelp, etc.)
• Factor this into your decision to relocate

The Bottom Line

Vanuatu is not the place to live if you have serious ongoing medical conditions. For healthy individuals with good insurance and medevac coverage, routine healthcare is manageable. But be realistic: this is a developing Pacific island nation, not Australia.