Before Departure
Although Vanuatu is a safe destination, some activities on outer islands fall under the 'adventure (dangerous) category.' Such activities can include parasailing, scuba diving, motorcycling, and even trekking. It is strongly recommended that travel insurance be purchased before arrival in Vanuatu. However, be sure to check that the policy you choose covers the adventure (dangerous) category, as well as ambulances and emergency flights home.
You should see your doctor for shots and medications before you travel to Vanuatu. Among other things, malaria and hepatitis A are both present on some islands. You will need to take anti-malaria medications before, during, and after your trip, and make sure that your vaccinations are up to date.
When in Vanuatu
The usual precautions are always advised: keep valuables secure, avoid travelling alone at night, have photocopies of your passport, tickets, and credit cards in case the originals are lost. Finally, respect local customs and laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay in Vanuatu.
There are no dangerous animals or insects in Vanuatu. Just make sure you always wear clothing to decrease the chances of being bitten by insects.
Take plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and sunburns.
You should also make sure that you pack a first-aid kit to take care of any cuts or bites you might get. Small cuts can get infected very easily in tropical climates.
Vanuatu's town water supply is safe to drink. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, it is recommended to drink bottled water to avoid any inconvenience.
If you're intending to travel to the outer islands, it is recommended that you purchase bottled water in Port Vila or Luganville as supplies in the outer islands are limited.
Access to Medical Services and Doctors
In Vanuatu, medical services are primarily concentrated in the capital, Port Vila on the island of Efate, and in Luganville on the island of Santo. These urban centres host the country's main hospitals—Vila Central Hospital and Northern Provincial Hospital, respectively. These facilities offer a range of services, including general medicine, surgery, maternity care, and emergency services.
General practitioners (GPs) and specialists are available in these hospitals and private clinics. It is advisable to make appointments in advance for non-emergency consultations. While there are capable doctors in Vanuatu, the limited number of specialists means that for serious or complex medical issues, patients may need to be evacuated to Australia or New Zealand for treatment. A travel insurance is highly recommended.
Hospitals in Vanuatu, including Vila Central Hospital and Northern Provincial Hospital, provide essential medical services but may not have the same level of equipment or specialist care as hospitals in more developed countries. Expect basic but competent care for general medical issues. However, for specialised treatments, surgeries, or severe medical conditions, medical evacuation will likely be necessary.
Useful contacts if you need medical advice:
The Medical Centre (Port Vila)
Tel: (+678) 22826
E: medicalcentre@vanuatu.com.vu
Novodental dentist (Port Vila)
Tel: (+678) 26696
Pharmacies: Hours and Locations
Pharmacies in Port Vila and Luganville are well-stocked with common medications and healthcare products. They are generally open from 8:00AM to 5:00PM on weekdays, with shorter hours on weekends. Some well-known pharmacies include:
- Tana Plaza Pharmacy (Port Vila): open daily from 8:00AM to 9:00PM
- Healthwise Pharmacy (Port Vila town): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:30PM
- Pharmacie du Vanuatu (Port Vila town): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:30PM
- The Pharmacy (Port Vila - rue Dartois): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:30PM
- Drug store (Port Vila - rue de Paris): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:30PM
- The drug store (Luganville): Open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
- Luganville drugstore (Luganville): Open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
It is advisable to carry a sufficient supply of any prescription medications you may need, as specific medicines may not be available.
Considerations for Outer Islands
Healthcare facilities on the outer islands are limited to small clinics and dispensaries with basic resources. These clinics can handle minor ailments and injuries, but serious medical conditions or injuries will require evacuation to the better-equipped hospitals in Port Vila or Luganville, or even to Australia or New Zealand. Therefore, having comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is crucial.
For travellers to outer islands, it is also important to carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and necessary medications, as access to pharmacies and healthcare facilities can be limited and supplies may not be readily available.
In an Emergency
In an emergency, contact local medical services immediately. Hospitals, and several private English and French doctors, can be found in Port Vila and Luganville. Serious injuries and medical conditions will require medical evacuation to more modern facilities in Australia, New Zealand, or New Caledonia. Therefore, travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover these potential costs.
Promedical Vanuatu
ProMedical provides additional services which include pre-hospital medical assistance, mortal remains repatriation, community event support, first aid training and AED sales. Their services can be viewed here. Promed - Medical Evacuation - 115 medevac@promedical.com.vu. Non-urgent Clinical Requests clinical@promedical.com.vu Ph: +678 5553153
Vanuatu Private Hospital (Port Vila)
Tel: (+678) 22255
E: vanuatuprivatehospital@gmail.com
Northern Provincial Hospital (Luganville)
Tel: (+678) 36345