🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Extremely limited public healthcare system. Hospitals and clinics are severely under-resourced. Many healthcare facilities are run by NGOs and international organizations. Private clinics in Port-au-Prince offer marginally better care. The system has been devastated by natural disasters and political instability.

Quality: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Healthcare is critically limited. Port-au-Prince has a few private clinics that provide basic care, but even these lack reliable electricity, supplies, and specialist staff. Outside the capital, healthcare is virtually nonexistent. Medical evacuation to Miami, Santo Domingo, or elsewhere is essential for any serious condition. Security concerns complicate medical access.

💡 Medical Tourism

Haiti is not a medical tourism destination. The country has a severe healthcare crisis. For any non-emergency medical needs, travel to the Dominican Republic or the United States.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Hôpital Bernard Mevs / Project Medishare 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Port-au-Prince

📞 +509-2813-0202

NGO-supported trauma and critical care hospital. One of the best-equipped facilities in Haiti. English and French spoken. Trauma center capability.

Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haïti (HUEH) ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Port-au-Prince

📞 +509-2222-3436

Main government teaching hospital. Severely overcrowded and under-resourced. French/Creole speaking. Use only if no alternatives available.

Hôpital Adventiste d'Haïti 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Carrefour, Port-au-Prince area

📞 +509-2234-2271

Seventh-day Adventist hospital. Better maintained than public hospitals. English and French spoken. General and surgical care.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: limited

Hours: Pharmacies in Port-au-Prince open roughly 8am-5pm weekdays. Hours are unreliable due to security concerns. Very few pharmacies outside the capital.

Prescription rules: Prescription enforcement is minimal. Medication availability is the primary barrier, not regulations. Drug quality is a serious concern.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol (when available)
  • oral rehydration salts
  • ibuprofen (limited)
  • antihistamines (limited)
  • basic antimalarials

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • : Mwen bezwen medikaman pou tèt fè mal (Creole) / J'ai besoin d'un médicament pour le mal de tête (French)
  • : Vant mwen fè mal (Creole) / J'ai mal au ventre (French)
  • : Mwen bezwen medikaman pou alèji (Creole) / J'ai besoin d'un médicament contre les allergies (French)
  • : Kote famasi ki pi pre a? (Creole) / Où est la pharmacie la plus proche? (French)
  • : Mwen bezwen wè yon doktè (Creole) / J'ai besoin de voir un médecin (French)

💡 Tips

Bring ALL essential medications from home. Counterfeit and expired drugs are widespread. Only buy from the most reputable pharmacies if absolutely necessary. French and Haitian Creole are spoken. Stock is extremely unreliable. Do not rely on local supply for any critical medications.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Pharmacie Sante — Look for 'Pharmacie' signage. Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince area
  • Pharmacie Nationale — Licensed pharmacy. Port-au-Prince

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracétamol / Doliprane / Tylenol
    Both French and American brands may be found. Stock is unreliable. Verify packaging.
  • ibuprofen → Ibuprofène / Advil
    May not be available. Bring your own supply.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
    Rarely available. Bring your own supply — diarrheal illness is very common.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications with generic names, in French or English. Keep medications in original packaging. Bring your ENTIRE supply plus extra — medications are essentially unavailable locally. Consider bringing basic first-aid supplies as well.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Illegal. Drug trafficking penalties are severe.
  • ⚠️ Narcotic painkillers — Carry a doctor's letter, original packaging, and be prepared for inspections.
  • ⚠️ Psychotropic medications — Carry full documentation from your prescribing physician.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Very limited. A few dental practices in Port-au-Prince. None in rural areas.

Typical cost range: $15-60 for basic procedures

Dental care is extremely basic. Some NGO-run dental clinics provide periodic services. Equipment and sterilization standards may not meet international norms.

🦷 Dental emergency?

Pack a comprehensive dental emergency kit. For serious dental issues, evacuation to Santo Domingo or Miami is recommended.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $50-80/week

💡 Tip

Medical evacuation coverage is absolutely critical. Miami is the primary evacuation destination. Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) is an alternative. Ensure your policy covers security-related evacuation as well as medical. Confirm your insurer operates in Haiti — some exclude it. Coverage for cholera and tropical diseases is essential.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Keep all receipts and medical documentation. Cash payment is required at all facilities — credit cards are not widely accepted. Haitian gourde (HTG) and USD are both used. Submit claims with receipts to your insurer after returning home. Contact your insurer's emergency line immediately for any serious condition — they may coordinate direct evacuation.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $15-50
  • ER visit (no admission): $30-150
  • Overnight hospital stay: $50-200
  • Ambulance call-out: $30-100 (extremely unreliable)

Costs are low but quality is extremely poor. Cash only in most cases. USD is widely accepted alongside Haitian gourde. NGO-run facilities may provide care at reduced cost or free. Medical evacuation costs can exceed $30,000.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation is the ONLY option for serious conditions. Port-au-Prince airport (Toussaint Louverture) is the departure point. Miami is about 90 minutes by air. Security conditions may complicate ground transport to the airport. Some insurers maintain evacuation coordinators in-country.

Primary destination: Miami, USA

Secondary destination: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Typical cost band: $15,000-50,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Yellow Fever (only if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Cholera (recommended for most travelers)
  • 🟡 Rabies (for extended stays or rural travel)
  • 🟡 Malaria prophylaxis (malaria is present throughout Haiti)
  • 🟡 Routine vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio)

Cholera has been a significant health risk in Haiti. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all travelers. Mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue and Zika are also present. Bring a comprehensive medical kit.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

❌ Tap water is NOT safe — drink bottled water only

Tap water is absolutely NOT safe to drink. Use only sealed bottled water or water purified with reliable filters/tablets for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing produce. Avoid all ice. Cholera is a risk from contaminated water. Carry your own water purification system.

Food Safety Tips

Eat only at well-established restaurants. Ensure all food is freshly cooked and served hot. Avoid raw vegetables, salads, and unpeeled fruit. Street food carries significant risk. Griot (fried pork) and diri ak djon djon (mushroom rice) from reputable restaurants are generally safe when fresh. Wash hands frequently.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: No dedicated national crisis line

International crisis support: International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

English-speaking therapists: Very few. Some NGO-supported counseling available in Port-au-Prince.

Mental health services are virtually nonexistent. Haiti has an extreme shortage of mental health professionals — fewer than a dozen psychiatrists for the entire country. Post-earthquake and ongoing crisis-related trauma is widespread. Some NGOs (Partners in Health, MSF) provide limited mental health support.

♿ Accessibility

No accessibility infrastructure exists. Roads are severely damaged, sidewalks are broken or nonexistent, and buildings lack any accessibility features.

Hospital accessibility: Hospitals are not wheelchair accessible. Building damage from earthquakes further limits access.

Accessible transport: No accessible transport of any kind. Roads are in poor condition. Private vehicles with a driver are the only option.

💡 Accessibility tips

Travel to Haiti with a disability is extremely challenging and generally not advised. A dedicated travel companion and local fixer are essential. Security concerns add further complexity.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No formal mask mandates.

Testing availability: Very limited COVID testing available at a few facilities in Port-au-Prince.

COVID testing and treatment capacity is extremely limited. The healthcare system cannot handle surges of any respiratory illness.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 114 (police), 115 (fire), 116 (ambulance — largely unreliable)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.