Where can someone obtain primary health care in Cabo Verde?

Primary care usually begins at the nearest Centro de Saúde, Posto Sanitário or local Delegacia de Saúde. These services may provide outpatient treatment, prevention, basic diagnostics, maternal and child care and chronic-disease support, depending on local capacity.

How does a patient obtain specialist treatment through the health system in Cabo Verde?

A health centre or hospital can refer the patient to a Hospital Regional or one of the central hospitals in Praia or Mindelo. Confirm the referral, transport and receiving appointment before travelling, especially when treatment requires another island.

What should someone do during a medical emergency in Cabo Verde?

Go to the nearest facility able to provide emergency care or contact the locally available emergency service. Ambulance number 130 has been reported, but local response and transport arrangements should be confirmed because capacity differs between islands.

Which health care is free in Cabo Verde?

Childhood immunisation, antenatal care, family planning and care for children under five are reported as free. Primary care is free when inability to pay has been formally demonstrated, while other charges for medicines, private treatment, transport or evacuation must be confirmed with the responsible facility, INPS or insurer.

Health in Cabo Verde

Q: How can a patient arrange treatment abroad from Cabo Verde?

If the required specialist treatment is unavailable in Cabo Verde, a Junta de Saúde can assess the case. The process may require a medical report, diagnostic results, BI, CNI or passport and proof of poverty or an INPS document; do not travel before the receiving appointment is confirmed.

Cabo Verde has a formal public health system, but access varies considerably between islands, distances, transport options and available specialties. Primary care begins at a Centro de Saúde, Posto Sanitário or local Delegacia de Saúde; regional and central hospitals provide emergency, inpatient and specialist treatment. Referrals, medicine availability and overseas treatment require advance coordination.

Tip

Treat island location, transport and available capacity as part of your care plan in Cabo Verde. Use the nearest primary-care service for routine treatment, but arrange referrals, medicine supply and inter-island travel before a non-urgent journey. In an emergency, go to the nearest capable facility and do not delay care while trying to organise distant specialist treatment.

byMaria&Jose

The public health system in Cabo Verde is coordinated by the Ministério da Saúde and its national and municipal services. The network recorded in 2022 included 33 Centros de Saúde, 19 Delegacias de Saúde, 4 Hospitais Regionais, 2 Hospitais Centrais, 41 Postos Sanitários and 98 Unidades Sanitárias de Base. Public and private pharmacies support access to medicines, while private clinics and laboratories complement public services when they are licensed by ERIS. A Centro de Saúde, Posto Sanitário or local Delegacia de Saúde is usually the first contact for outpatient care, prevention, vaccination, antenatal care, family planning, chronic treatment and basic examinations. Hospitais Regionais provide emergency care, outpatient and inpatient treatment, basic specialties, rehabilitation and referrals. The two central hospitals in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente provide complex and tertiary care. Referral and counter-referral records help connect treatment between these levels. Geography strongly affects access. Patients may need transport to another settlement or island, and specialist capacity and medicine supplies vary by location. Before travelling, confirm opening times, available services, medicine stocks, referral requirements and the transport arrangements for the specific island. Brava and Santo Antão have no working airport, which makes air evacuation difficult, while Boa Vista has particularly limited medical capacity. For an acute deterioration, contact the locally available emergency service or go to the nearest facility able to provide emergency care. Ambulance number 130 has been reported for Cabo Verde, but the local response and transport options should be confirmed when an emergency occurs. Do not delay urgent treatment while arranging a distant appointment. After treatment, keep the discharge plan, prescription, diagnostic results and referral record. Arrange follow-up with the treating unit or a health centre and actively coordinate any inter-island transfer. If Cabo Verde cannot provide the required specialist treatment, a Junta de Saúde can assess a referral abroad. The application may require a medical report, diagnostic results, BI, CNI or passport, and proof of poverty or an INPS document. Treatment coordination with Portugal uses the relevant DGS or SAGMED process, and citizens covered by the Cabo Verde–Portugal arrangement should wait for a confirmed appointment before travelling. The Constitution protects the right to health and assigns the State a duty to enable universal access for citizens. Patients still need to follow referral and appointment procedures and provide identity or eligibility documents. Childhood immunisation, antenatal care and family planning are reported as free, as is care for children under five. Primary care is free when inability to pay has been formally demonstrated. Exact charges for consultations, medicines, private treatment, transport, co-payments and evacuation depend on the facility, INPS arrangements or insurance and should be confirmed in advance. Visitors and non-citizens should verify access, payment and evacuation coverage directly before relying on treatment in Cabo Verde.