Located in Central Africa, Cameroon attracts travelers with its natural terrains and wildlife. The country's temperate climate also plays a significant role in attracting tourists from all around the world. However, given that it’s a developing country, healthcare resources are limited. Hence, expats must procure an all-inclusive international health insurance plan that can cover them and their families for various medical needs.
Residents of several African countries are currently suffering from multiple health-related hazards. Some of the most common diseases that require prior vaccination include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis A, meningitis G, polio, tetanus, and typhoid. Malaria is another dangerous threat that is common throughout the country. As such, the country’s visa conditions are strict. You must get vaccinated for the diseases mentioned before you’re cleared to arrive in Cameroon.
In Cameroon, employees, citizens, and expats must register for a private health insurance plan. Since medical attention in private hospitals doesn’t come cheap, expats are always advised to secure comprehensive international health insurance that can cover them if they fall ill or are injured.
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Overview of Cameroon's Healthcare System
Cameroon’s healthcare system comprises a combination of entities. There are private and public institutions, as well as companies that offer multiple healthcare services. The country’s Ministry of Public Health manages the country’s healthcare system. Under the government-funded schemes, most of the country’s citizens receive free healthcare.
These schemes get their funding from the Cameroon government, as well as from public and private enterprises, religious missions, foreign aid donors, and NGOs. This system works on three levels: operational, technical, and strategic. Cameroon’s public healthcare system provides inexpensive healthcare services and medicines to residents.
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Most of the 154 operational hospitals in the country are located in major cities, such as Douala and Yaounde. However, a significant cause of concern in most public hospitals is sanitation. Moreover, healthcare services and facilities are almost non-existent in rural localities of the country.
The overall healthcare system of Cameroon is bleak, with an average of two doctors for every 10,000 people. Several people even rely on nurses and other less qualified medical personnel to access health services. There is a severe shortage of qualified and professional medical staff at public hospitals in Cameroon. Hence, the expat population generally prefer facilities in private hospitals.
Map of Cameroon showing major cities and regions.
Private Healthcare Services
It’s been a while since the push began to introduce premium private healthcare services in Cameroon. More than 50 private hospitals are supplying modern equipment and facilities. The staff in these hospitals are highly knowledgeable and can interact with ex-pats professionally.
Most Cameroonians are not affluent, making it difficult for them to afford treatments at private hospitals. Instead, they rely on the public healthcare system, which already suffers from staff crunch and insufficient supplies of equipment. It prompts members of the expat community to seek medication and treatment only from private hospitals and facilities.
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Emergency Services and Pharmacies
Emergency services in Cameroon are also as lax as services in public hospitals. The number to call for emergency services in Cameroon is 112.
Many pharmacies located in significant towns of Cameroon are adequately stocked with necessary medical supplies. There are pharmacies based in remote areas too, but those mostly do not have many essential and important medicines. You may often have to go quite far to get the necessary medical aid. Alternatively, traditional and Chinese herbs are also available at many drugstores within Cameroon.
Leading International Insurance Companies in Cameroon
Some of the leading international insurance companies that offer optimum health cover in Cameroon include Allianz International and GeoBlue Xplorer. You can compare the plans offered by these companies and see for yourself which one is the most feasible before making your decision.
Top Insurance Companies in Cameroon's General Insurance Market
Here’s a ranking of the top players in Cameroon’s general insurance market:
- AXA Assurances Cameroun: Ranked number one, reporting a decline of 0.8% compared with the previous year’s premium.
- Activa Insurance: Ranking number two, the company registered a 9.2% decline compared with the premium in 2019.
- Chanas Assurances: Ranked number three, the company registered a growth of 15.9% compared with previous year’s premium.
- Societe africaine d’assurances et de reassurances (Cameroon): Ranked number four, registering a 17.8% decline compared with last year’s premium.
- Allianz Cameroon Insurance: Ranked number five, the company registered a decline of 20.9% compared with last year’s premium.
This analysis is drawn from GlobalData’s Company LoB Breakdowns Database, which tracks key insurance metrics across segments, categories, and line of businesses for more than 150 markets, globally. The data is sourced from regulatory authority/industry association/company SFCR. This data is mapped to segments and categories as per our standard Industry Native Taxonomy Structure. The calculations are based on premiums standardised by the following order of preference Gross Written Premiums > Direct Written Premiums > Net Earned Premiums > Net Written Premiums.
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Allianz, one of the top insurance providers in Cameroon.
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