Medical Care while Traveling Nicaragua
Nicaraguan healthcare is not up to par with North American or European facilities. Managua is about the only area that can treat emergency medical cases. Many towns have doctors and basic attention, however if an emergency occurs, patients must be brought to the capital. There are large hospitals in every major region in the country.
Once an emergency occurs, the patient is to go to the nearest facility that will admit patients. This is typically a public hospital, where conditions are terrible and treatment regimens are almost non-existent. Private hospitals are cleaner and provide a little better care, however many of them function on a cash-only basis, and you will not be brought to one unless you can prove that you, or someone with you,can provide cash. Credit cards are not an acceptable form of payment almost anywhere for emergency services.
Tourists traveling to Nicaragua are advised to be current with all of the vaccinations, especially Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies. A large amount of contemporary medicines are not yet obtainable in Nicaragua, so if you are taking prescription medicine make certain you take more than enough to get you through your visit in the nation. If you visit the east coast, be sure to take an anti-malaria medicine both before and after your trip to avoid being affected by the illness.
In conclusion, don't presume your medical insurance policy will include care in a foreign nation ; many will not. Confirm with your policy holder before you leave, and make sure that your insurance applies even though you are beyond the borders of the US. Also validate that it will cover emergency medical procedures, transportation, and evacuation. Otherwise, acquire a supplemental policy before you depart.
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