Travel to Samoa to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work, or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

How does the healthcare system work in Samoa?

What is the quality of healthcare in Samoa?

• In Samoa everything is chill. Not only the beach life, but also the health care is good, free and there are few epidemics.
• There are both private and public institutions in Samoa.
• Most doctors are trained abroad, mostly in Australia and New Zealand.
• The national hospital is located in Apia.
• In complex cases, patients usually have to be evacuated to Australia, Japan or New Zealand.
• There are also no decompression chambers in Samoa. In the case of compression sickness, people usually have to be evacuated to Suva, Fiji or Auckland.
• Local pharmacies often have a limited stock of medicines. If you are dependent on medicines, bring your own.

How does the public healthcare system work in Samoa?

• The quality of public health care is generally good, but this does vary between cities and more remote areas.
• There are shortages of health care personnel and facilities, which means that care is limited.
• There are two larger hospitals (in Apria and on Savaii) and 11 more rural health centres. Most care is provided in Apia. In rural areas, there are usually only nurses present.

How does the private healthcare system work in Samoa?

• Private care is very limited, but often of better quality and with shorter waiting times.
• There are several private care centers, but these are concentrated in Apia.
• Most foreigners opt for private care.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Samoa?

• Samoa does not have a general practitioner system. With limited care, people generally just go straight to the nearest clinic or hospital.

How is the dentist arranged in Samoa?

• Dental care generally does not meet international standards.
• For good oral care, LBJ Tropical Medical Centre in Pago Pago (American Samoa) is a good option.

How is pregnancy care arranged in Samoa?

• Maternity care in Samoa is reasonable, but limited. Maternal mortality is below the average for the region.
• (Traditional) midwives (TBAs) play an important role in Samoa.
• Travel times to healthcare facilities are long, as are the waiting times once you get there.
• As a foreign mother-to-be, it is probably wiser to spend your pregnancy and delivery in a country with a more extensive healthcare system.

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

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

• Samoa is reasonably safe for expats. There is some crime, but not much serious crime.
• Places where you should be careful are downtown Apia (especially when you go to the pub) and at the sea wall along the harbour.
• Theft and pickpocketing are the most common. House burglaries also sometimes occur.
• There are many stray dogs and sometimes they attack. Stay away from the dogs and be careful when you are exercising, for example.
• Samoa experiences extreme weather such as cyclones (especially November to April), earthquakes and tsunamis. Pay close attention to local warnings and make sure you know what to do if something like this happens.

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

• Mosquito-borne diseases are common in Samoa. For example, there are sometimes outbreaks of dengue and zika and chikungunya. So make sure you protect yourself well against mosquitoes.
• There are also infectious diseases that are transmitted via water and food. It is therefore advisable to only drink boiled or filtered water and to avoid raw food.

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

• In 2009, Samoa changed from driving on the right to driving on the left!
• The roads in Apia and the main roads around the islands are usually reasonable, but watch out for holes and bumps in the road surface!
• The rest of the roads are often unpaved.
• Don't be surprised if you share the roads with pedestrians and cattle. This is normal, but can be dangerous in the evenings!
• Many roads go through small rivers. Be careful with these crossings, because sometimes the current can become very strong in a short time.
• Taxis are widely used. Make sure you use a good and reliable company, or find a good taxi driver through someone else.
• Buses are mostly not on time or not showing up on time, slow and unreliable.
• Renting a car is an option, but the chance of getting roadside assistance is minimal. In any case, make sure you choose a four-wheel drive.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Samoa?

• Is the trip to Samoa and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Samoa if you are going to live there for a while?

• Due to the limited healthcare options, good, international health insurance is essential for expats living in Samoa.
• Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.