Namibia Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

Vaccination needed receipt required
Eat Drink 5
malaria 3
Typhoid & Polio 4/ Yes
cholera 2
yellow fever 1

Overview

The medical care in the country cannot be compared to Europe and is often problematic in terms of technology, equipment and/or hygiene. In many cases there is also a lack of European-trained English/French-speaking doctors. Medical care in urban areas is well above the African average. There are hospitals and pharmacies in all larger towns. The doctors are in the telephone book under “Medical Practitioners”. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Medication for diarrhoea, fever and pain as well as bandages, plasters and wound disinfectants should be taken with you. Serum against snake bites and scorpion stings should possibly be carried along. Taking out travel health insurance and travel repatriation insurance is strongly recommended. Check ebizdir for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers arriving within 6 days from one of the infection areas designated by the WHO. A vaccination certificate is also not required if you have landed in a country in the infection zone and you have not left the transit area or the stay in transit lasted more than 12 hours. Persons who are unable to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate when requested will be subject to a 6-day quarantine or will be returned to their country of origin. Children under the age of 9 months and women in the first trimester of pregnancy are not required to have a vaccination certificate. [2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but there is a risk of infection. [3] Year-round protection against malaria required in the Kawango and Kunene valleys and in the Zambezi (formerly the Caprivi Strip) on the Zambezi River (high risk of malaria). From November to June there is a medium malaria risk in the remaining northern regions and in Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Ohangwena, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke. There is a lower risk in the remaining parts of the country in the north, north-west and south. There is no risk of malaria in the cities and southern Namibia. The more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum (malaria tropica), which is 85% predominant, is said to be resistant to chloroquine and occurs in the Kawango and Kunene valleys and in the Caprivi strip. In the other areas affected by malaria, the less dangerous Plasmodium vivax (Malaria tertiana) occurs. For malaria prophylaxis, long-sleeved clothing and mosquito repellent are generally recommended. In the high-risk regions of the Kawango and Kunene valleys, in the Caprivi Strip all year round and in the other northern areas from November to June, you should take medication to prevent malaria infection. Emergency medication is recommended from July to October in the northern areas. [4] Vaccination against typhus is recommended. [5] The greatest risk of infection is intestinal infection. The hygiene rules applicable to all tropical countries (e.g. caution when consuming food and tap water) should be carefully observed. 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. Unpasteurized milk should be boiled. Only mix dry and canned milk with sterile water. Dairy products made from unboiled milk should not be consumed. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Eating raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. 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

The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Schistosomiasis pathogens occur in some ponds and rivers, especially in the Caprivi Strip. Swimming and wading in inland waters should therefore be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are safe. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is particularly prevalent in coastal areas. An effective insect repellent is recommended. UV radiation is very high and can damage the skin. Sun protection through skin-covering clothing and sunscreen (SPF > 20) is therefore absolutely necessary. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur nationwide. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. To avoid infection with hepatitis E, tourists and especially pregnant women should wash their hands frequently, especially after going to the toilet or after touching money, and ensure strict drinking water and food hygiene (no raw fruit and vegetables that have already been peeled, no undercooked meat, no raw milk products etc.). HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for those who take risks of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Local outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis (known as “epidemic meningitis”) occur nationwide. A higher incidence of disease must be expected, especially during extreme drought. Vaccination protection is recommended for risk travelers. The sleeping sickness transmitted by the tse-tse fly occurs very rarely in travellers, sporadically in the north (Caprivi strip). Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. Rabies occurs nationwide. The main carriers are dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays.

Health certificate

An HIV test is required for long-term stays.

Money

Currency

1 Namibian dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: N$, NAD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins in denominations of 5 and 1 N$ and 50, 10 and 5 cents. The Namibian Dollar is pegged to the South African Rand, which is also accepted as legal currency in Namibia.

Credit cards

Major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted. Gas stations only accept cash. Money can also be withdrawn from ATMs with a credit card (especially Visa and Maestro). Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.

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 ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. 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. The bank customer card can be used at some banks (including Standard Bank, Nedbank). 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

Traveller’s checks are generally no longer accepted in Namibia.

Bank opening hours

Mon-Fri 09.00-15.30, Sat 08.30-12.00.

Foreign exchange regulations

The import and export of foreign currency must be declared from an equivalent value of N$ 5,000. The national currency may only be imported up to an equivalent value of US$ 50,000. The export of the national currency is permitted up to the amount imported and declared. There are no import or export restrictions when traveling between the SACU countries Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland.

Currency Exchange

Money can be exchanged in banks and exchange offices, the easiest way to exchange US dollars.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
NAD N$ 1 EUR = N$14.69
1 CHF = N$17.49
1 USD = N$14.13

Namibia Money