How does healthcare work in Antarctica, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

What is the quality of healthcare in Antarctica?

• Everything works a little differently in Antarctica than anywhere else in the world. Antarctica has no permanent population and therefore no national healthcare system. It is also extremely remote from the rest of the world. All available medical care is provided by research stations and expedition operators.
• The medical care that is available is designed to provide first aid, emergency treatment and patient stabilisation. There are no facilities for extensive medical treatment. Some larger stations do have basic laboratories, X-ray equipment and trauma facilities for temporary emergency care.
• Common medical problems include dehydration, vision problems, altitude sickness, frostbite and mental health issues such as depression or isolation-related stress.
• The quality and availability of healthcare depend greatly on the location. Large research stations usually have a small medical clinic staffed by at least one doctor or physician assistant. Smaller stations may only have a nurse or paramedic. Expedition cruise ships almost always carry a ship's doctor.
• For minor illnesses, small injuries and first aid, medical care is generally well organised. However, options for surgery or specialist treatment are extremely limited. In those cases, medical evacuation to hospitals in New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Australia or South Africa is often necessary.
• Such an evacuation is never guaranteed. Weather conditions, the Antarctic winter, sea ice, the season and aircraft availability all determine whether an evacuation is possible. During the Antarctic winter, outside medical assistance may be delayed for days or even weeks.
• Almost all research programmes therefore require participants to undergo an extensive medical examination before deployment. Expedition operators also usually have medical screening requirements for travellers.
• There are no pharmacies in Antarctica. Research stations keep a limited stock of medicines for common illnesses and emergencies, but specific medications are often unavailable. If you depend on prescription medication, it is essential to bring an adequate personal supply.
• There is no general emergency number such as 112 or 911. Medical emergencies are handled through the communication systems of the research station, expedition vessel or expedition leader.

How does the public healthcare system work in Antarctica?

• There is no public healthcare system in Antarctica, nor is there a public health insurance system or universal healthcare scheme.
• Because Antarctica has no permanent residents or government healthcare service, medical care is organised by the country operating the research station or by the expedition company.
• Medical facilities are intended primarily for emergency care and stabilization rather than long-term treatment.

How does the private healthcare system work in Antarctica?

• There is no private healthcare system in Antarctica either.
• Healthcare is provided through research stations and expedition organisations. Visitors and staff receive medical care from the doctor assigned to their station or vessel.
• If specialist care is required, patients are normally evacuated to hospitals in countries such as Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

How is the family doctor or general practitioner arranged in Antarctica?

• There is no GP or family doctor system in Antarctica.
• Passengers traveling on expedition cruises can usually consult the ship's doctor.
• At larger research stations, one physician is typically responsible for all medical care, from routine consultations to emergency treatment.
• An interesting historical fact is that in 1961, Russian physician Leonid Rogozov famously performed an appendectomy on himself because there was no other doctor available and evacuation was impossible.

How is the dental care and dentist arranged in Antarctica?

• There are no dental practices in Antarctica. Doctors stationed there usually receive basic training to perform emergency dental procedures.
• Some larger research stations have limited equipment to temporarily treat acute dental problems, but comprehensive dental care is not available.
• For example, wisdom teeth cannot be removed on the continent. People traveling to Antarctica for work are sometimes required to have potentially problematic wisdom teeth removed before departure.

How is pregnancy and maternity care arranged in Antarctica?

• As you have probably guessed by now, Antarctica is not a suitable place for pregnancy or childbirth.
• There are no midwives, maternity wards, or obstetric facilities. Most expedition operators therefore do not allow pregnant travellers to participate beyond a certain stage of pregnancy.
• If pregnancy-related complications arise during a stay in Antarctica, medical evacuation is required.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Antarctica?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Antarctica?

• Antarctica is probably one of the safest places in the world when it comes to crime. Everyone knows each other, trust levels are high, and even if someone wanted to steal something, there is nowhere to go. The greatest dangers come from nature rather than from people.
• Extreme cold, powerful winds, blizzards and rapidly changing weather conditions can become life-threatening within a very short time.
• Because Antarctica is so remote, emergency assistance may take a long time to arrive. Strict safety procedures apply during expeditions, and visitors are expected to follow all instructions carefully.
• Crevasses, sea ice and slippery snowfields pose serious risks. Independent travel is generally not allowed.
• The sun can also be surprisingly dangerous. Snow and ice strongly reflect ultraviolet radiation, increasing the risk of severe sunburn and snow blindness.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Antarctica?

• Naturally occurring infectious diseases are virtually absent in Antarctica.
• Some of the greatest health risks are:
  • hypothermia;
  • frostbite;
  • dehydration;
  • snow blindness;
  • altitude sickness (at some high-altitude research stations).
• Because people live and work in close quarters at research stations and aboard expedition ships, respiratory infections such as influenza or COVID-19 can spread relatively quickly. Up-to-date vaccinations and certain health measures may therefore be required before travelling.
• Drinking water at research stations and aboard ships is safe. It is generally produced by desalinating seawater or melting snow and ice.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Antarctica?

• There are no public roads or conventional transport networks in Antarctica.
• Transport mainly takes place by expedition ship, aircraft, helicopter, tracked vehicles, snowmobiles, and specialized all-terrain vehicles.
• Nearly all transport depends entirely on weather conditions. Flights and ships are regularly delayed or cancelled because of storms, sea ice or poor visibility.
• Most visitors reach Antarctica by crossing the Drake Passage, which is famous for its extremely rough seas and the high likelihood of seasickness.

What are the best insurance options for backpacking, travelling, doing an internship, studying, volunteering or working in Antarctica?

Is your trip to Antarctica and your return journey sufficiently covered? Are you adequately insured before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip or expedition?

• Insurance for expedition cruises to Antarctica
• Insurance for scientific research in Antarctica
• Insurance for internships in Antarctica
• Insurance for volunteering in Antarctica
• Insurance for paid work at a research station
• Cancellation insurance

Because expeditions to Antarctica are expensive and highly dependent on weather conditions, cancellation insurance is often a sensible choice.

What types of insurance should you get if you're planning to emigrate, work as an expat, or live in Antarctica?

• A comprehensive international health insurance policy with worldwide coverage is essential, as you might have to be taken to another country to get proper care. 
• Make sure your insurance includes cover for:
  • medical evacuation by air;
  • repatriation;
  • treatment in Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa;
  • search and rescue operations, where these are not already covered by the expedition operator.
• Many national Antarctic research programmes arrange insurance for their staff, but you should always check carefully which costs are and are not covered.
• International health insurance for Antactica
• International travel insurance for Antarctica
• International life insurance for Antarctica
• International income protection insurance for Antarctica