Conakry - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Guinea has terrible health care. 10% infant mortality rate. There is poor preventative care – for example, vaccines are difficult to store properly since electricity is unreliable, and they lose effectiveness. There are measles and polio outbreaks at the moment. Ebola and Marburg were both here in 2021 and were handled well, luckily, with guidance from international organizations. There are very few medical conditions that I would trust to be treated appropriately in Guinea. There is a good dentist and good eye clinic. Radiology equipment is often broken or misused (ex/ I personally know of an over radiation incident, in which the technician misused equipment in a way that would have been illegal in the US). There are a lot of physicians practicing without licenses. There are a couple trustworthy clinics in town that I would use for emergencies, but only until the Medevac plane arrives. - Sep 2022
Malaria is endemic, so take your pills. Be up to date on your shots, and don't pet the sweet little stray doggies and kitties. Health care is fine for most basic stuff. You can get your cholesterol meds or antibiotics or whatever you're prescribed. My kids have had teeth pulled and an appendix removed in local facilities, with no problem. For more complex or serious stuff (like administering anesthesia to a minor), you might get/want to get Medevaced. Hospital and health centers have qualified professionals, but even the most fancy places have very different standards that what you know from the States, especially on the aesthetic front. - Jun 2021
There is no acceptable medical care here that I have found. Counterfeit medicines seem to be prevalent, doctors don't seem to be qualified, and clinic/hospital facilities are truly an abomination in my opinion. Take Malaria prophylaxis, and make sure all of your vaccines are current before arrival. Ebola has been a problem but has been under control in this country since about 2016. - Nov 2019
Malaria is the real big fear. If you are not comfortable with taking anti-malarial medication regularly, do not go. Medical care is limited to Embassy Health Unit with basic primary and emergency care, very limited other local resources. Anything serious is a medical evacuation (if there is time). - May 2016
Ebola, malaria. Local health care will do in a pinch, but most major issues require med'evac. - Dec 2014
Health care is poor in Conakry. Any serious health problems need to be taken care of in Dakar or Europe. - Sep 2009
The lack of medical care is a definite concern. There are a few places to get decent care, but anything major would require a medevac. - May 2009
Anything more serious than a stubbed toe is a medevac. Embassy staff and their families have access to the nurse practioner. - Mar 2008
