Togo Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

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

Overview

Medical care in the country cannot be compared to Europe and is often highly problematic in terms of technology, equipment and/or hygiene. The number of adequately trained specialists is limited. Medical care in Lomé is limited. There are French-speaking specialists in almost all disciplines. A few doctors speak German. Sufficient health insurance coverage that is valid there and reliable travel insurance are strongly recommended. A sufficient first-aid kit should be taken with you. Check findjobdescriptions for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers over one year old. This does not apply to transit travelers who do not leave the airport in Togo. Togo is considered a country with yellow fever infection areas. WHO strongly recommends vaccination for all travelers to yellow fever infected areas. [2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but there is a risk of infection. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before you travel. To protect yourself, you should practice careful drinking water and food hygiene. Vaccination is only recommended in rare cases. [3] Malaria protection against the more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum is required all year round (increased risk of transmission during the rainy season May – October in the north, April – June and September – November in the south) in all parts of the country. It is said to be resistant to chloroquine. [4] Due to the risk of possible infections, careful drinking water and food hygiene must be ensured. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is not pasteurized and should also be boiled. Only mix dry and canned milk with sterile water. Avoid dairy products made from unboiled milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Pork, raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled.

Other risks

Schistosomiasis pathogens are found in some ponds and rivers nationwide, so swimming and wading in inland waterways should be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are safe. Filariasis caused by insects also occurs nationwide. Travelers reduce the risk of transmission if they use an effective insect repellent. Typhus occurs nationwide. The fever is caused by clothes lice. To protect yourself, you should practice regular body and clothing hygiene. Vaccination should only be considered in rare cases. 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. HIV/AIDS is a big problem in Togo and a big 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 can occur from December to May, mostly in rural areas. To protect yourself, you should get vaccinated and avoid large crowds. Sleeping sickness occurs nationwide. Careful mosquito repellent measures are recommended. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. For backpackers, kids, Vaccination is recommended for occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick ​​bite fever occurs nationwide. Protective measures are skin-covering clothing and insect repellent. In case of tick infestation, consult a doctor if in doubt.

bird flu

Several thousand chickens died at a poultry farm in Sigbehoue, 45 km east of Lome, in June 2007 after a consignment of birds was imported from neighboring Ghana in February. In the meantime, the suspicion of highly pathogenic bird flu caused by influenza A(H5N1) has also been confirmed in Togo. The last cases were reported in September 2008. Human diseases are not known to date. Travelers should stay away from poultry and avoid all contact with live and dead animals. The consumption of raw poultry dishes and eggs should be avoided. Well-cooked poultry dishes and eggs can be enjoyed without hesitation.

Money

Currency

1 CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc* = 100 centimes. Currency code: CFA Fr, XOF (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 CFA Fr. Coins come in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 CFA Fr. Note: [*] The CFA Franc (XOF) is issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest ( BCEAO, State Bank of West African States) and used by the 8 members of the African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC, CFA Franc (XAF) issued by the State Bank of Central African States is not legal tender in Togo. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit cards

All major international credit cards (but not Mastercard) are accepted in larger shops and hotels. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.

ATMs

Bank cards With a credit card (usually only Visa, not Mastercard) and pin number, money can be withdrawn at ATMs. 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

Traveller’s checks are not accepted in Togo.

Bank opening hours

Open Mon-Fri 07.30-12.00 and 14.30-16.00/17.00.

Foreign exchange regulations

Unlimited import of local currency and foreign currencies, obligation to declare from the equivalent of 1 million CFA Fr. Export of local currency up to 500,000 CFA Fr permitted. Export of foreign currency in banknotes up to the amount declared upon entry, other means of payment (traveller’s cheques, letters of credit, etc.) made out abroad in the name of the traveler are unlimited.

Currency Exchange

Cash can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices in Lomé and other major cities. Exchange back is generally possible outside of the countries in the “CFA francs zone”, but is associated with high exchange losses.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
XOF 1 EUR = 655.96
1 CHF = 655.96
1 USD = 655.96
EUR 1 EUR = €655.96
1 CHF = €655.96
1 USD = €655.96

Togo Money