Medical Care while Traveling Nicaragua
Nicaraguan healthcare is not up to standard with North American or European facilities. Managua is about the only area that is able to handle emergency medical cases. Many towns have physicians and essential attention, but if an emergency arises, patients must be transported to the capital. There are large hospitals in every major city in the country.
Once an emergency happens, the patient is to get to the closest facility that will accept patients. This is typically a public hospital, where conditions are terrible and healing regimens are almost non-existent. Private hospitals are more sanitary and give slightly better treatment, but many of them function on a cash-only foundation, and you will not be brought to one unless you can verify that you, or someone with you,can give cash. Credit cards are not a suitable form of payment nearly anywhere for emergency services.
Visitors traveling to Nicaragua are recommended to be current with all of the vaccinations, especially Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies. A large amount of modern medicines are not yet available in Nicaragua, so if you are taking prescription medicine be sure you take extra to hold you during your visit in the country. If you visit the east coast, be positive to receive an anti-malaria medicine both before and after your trip to circumvent getting the illness.
Finally, don't presume your medical insurance policy will include care in a foreign country ; most will not. Confirm with your carrier before you disembark, and make sure that your insurance is valid during while you are outside the US. Also make certain that it will cover emergency medical procedures, transportation, and evacuation. Otherwise, obtain a supplemental policy before you leave.
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