Equatorial Guinea Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

Vaccination needed receipt required
Eat Drink 4
malaria 3
Typhoid & Polio Yes
cholera 2
yellow fever 1

Overview

Medical care cannot be compared to Europe and is often problematic in terms of technology, equipment and hygiene. In many cases there is also a lack of European-trained doctors who speak English and French. At the beginning of 2008, a European-standard hospital under Israeli management was opened in Bata. Mosquito repellent, sunscreen and sunglasses should not be missing in any luggage. There are pharmacies in the two larger cities of Malabo and Bata, which usually stock the most important medicines. Check directoryaah for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] Since Equatorial Guinea is one of the countries with yellow fever endemic areas, yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended. It is also mandatory when entering from a yellow fever area. Even deviating from official regulations (no vaccination requirements for direct flights from Europe), proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination may be required, especially when entering overland.[2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but may sometimes be required in deviation from official regulations. However, there is a risk of infection. To protect yourself, you should practice careful drinking water and food hygiene. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is recommended seek medical advice well in advance of travel. A valid proof of vaccination against cholera can – contrary to the official regulations – occasionally be required. [3] Malaria protection required nationwide year-round. The predominant more dangerous malaria species Plasmodium falciparum is said to be resistant to chloroquine. Recommendation: mosquito repellent and medicinal prophylaxis. [4] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, typhus, bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases), which are transmitted through contaminated food or drinks. Therefore, careful food and drinking water hygiene measures should always be implemented. Water should generally be drunk before use, Brushing teeth and making ice cubes can either be boiled or otherwise sterilized or bought pre-packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is unpasteurized outside of urban areas and should also be boiled. Consuming pork, raw salads and mayonnaise, and dairy products made from unboiled milk should be avoided. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets.

Other risks

Schistosomiasis pathogens are found in some ponds and rivers, so swimming or wading in inland waterways should be avoided. Well-maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are harmless. Filariasis caused by insects (loasis: low incidence; onchocerciasis: nationwide) also occurs. Travelers reduce the risk of transmission if they use an effective insect repellent. Single patches of mosquito-borne sleeping sickness do occur. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with hepatitis A. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. A hepatitis A and B vaccination is generally recommended. Hepatitis B vaccination is routinely recommended for children and adolescents in Germany. Hepatitis E is widespread. HIV/AIDS is a problem in the country and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: sexual contact, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a considerable life-threatening risk. Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur from December to May. To protect yourself, you should get vaccinated and avoid large crowds. There is an increased risk of infection with sleeping sickness, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. rabies occurs. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. For backpackers, kids, Vaccination is recommended for occupational risk groups and for longer stays. If you are bitten, seek medical help as soon as possible. Tick bite fever also occurs nationwide.

Health certificate

A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is mandatory. Testing for HIV may also be required. Persons who are HIV-positive must reckon with expulsion from Equatorial Guinea.

Money

Currency

1 CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc* = 100 centimes. Currency code: CFA Fr, XAF (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 CFA Fr. Coins come in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5. 2 and 1 CFA Fr. Note: [*] Issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC, State Bank of Central African States) and used by Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, Chad and Central African Republic. Issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (BCEAO, State Bank of West African States), the CFA Franc (XOF) is not legal tender in Equatorial Guinea. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit cards

Major credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Equatorial Guinea.

ATMs

Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at a few ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol in major cities. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.

Travelers cheques

Travelers Checks are not accepted in Equatorial Guinea.

Bank opening hours

Mon-Sat 08.00-12.00.

Foreign exchange regulations

Appropriate import of local currency, export of which is limited to 50,000 CFA Fr. Unlimited import and export of foreign currencies.

Currency Exchange

Money can be exchanged in banks (for foreign currencies there is only one bank each in Malabo and Bata). Euros and US dollars are the easiest to exchange. These two foreign currencies are also widely accepted in hotels and restaurants.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
EUR 1 EUR = 1.00 €
1 CHF = 1.19 €
1 USD = 0.96 €
XOF 1 EUR = 1.00
1 CHF = 1.19
1 USD = 0.96

Equatorial Guinea Money