What actually happens to travelers here.
Drink bottled or properly treated water. Skip ice at budget venues and street vendors. Brush your teeth with bottled water where tap is questionable.
Verify requirements at your destination's embassy. Vaccination must be administered 10+ days before travel and is documented on a yellow International Certificate of Vaccination.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
System: Public healthcare system with very limited resources. CHU Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé is the main hospital. Private clinics in Lomé offer better care. Rural healthcare is extremely basic. French-based medical system.
Quality: ★★☆☆☆ Limited
Healthcare quality is low by international standards. CHU Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé is the largest facility but faces chronic equipment and supply shortages. Private clinics in Lomé offer better care with shorter wait times. Outside Lomé, medical facilities are very basic. Serious conditions require evacuation to Ghana (Accra) or Europe.
Togo is not a medical tourism destination. Patients requiring advanced care are evacuated to Accra (Ghana), Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), or European cities.
Where to actually go.
Main public hospital and teaching hospital. French-speaking. Emergency department available but often overcrowded. Equipment limitations. Largest facility in the country.
Private clinic offering better care than public facilities. French-speaking. Cash payment typically required upfront.
Private facility with reasonable standards. French-speaking. Preferred by expatriates and international organizations.
Finding what you need.
Access: Limited
Hours: Pharmacies open 8am-12:30pm and 3pm-7pm weekdays, Saturday mornings. Duty pharmacies in Lomé for after-hours. Very limited outside the capital.
Prescription rules: Prescription medications officially require a doctor's ordonnance, but enforcement is inconsistent. Many medications are sold freely. Bring all needed medications from home as availability is unreliable and counterfeit drugs are common.
Bring all medications you need from home. Counterfeit drugs are a significant concern — only use established pharmacies (look for the green cross sign). Pharmacies in Lomé carry French medications. Staff speak French. Stock can be unreliable.
Available over the counter
- paracétamol
- ibuprofène
- antimalarials
- oral rehydration salts
- insect repellent
- water purification tablets
- antihistamines
Useful pharmacy phrases
- J'ai besoin d'un médicament contre le mal de tête
- J'ai mal au ventre
- J'ai des allergies
- Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ?
- J'ai besoin d'un médecin
Chains you'll see
- Pharmacie de Garde (duty pharmacy system) — Green cross sign (Rotating duty pharmacies in Lomé for after-hours service)
- Pharmacies in Lomé — Green cross sign (Main commercial areas in Lomé)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracétamol / Doliprane
Most commonly available medication. Buy only from established pharmacies to avoid counterfeits. - ibuprofen → Ibuprofène / Advil
Available at pharmacies in Lomé. Supply may be inconsistent. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
Available at larger pharmacies. Bring your own supply to be safe.
What you can't bring in.
Bring prescriptions (French translations ideal), a doctor's letter listing all medications, yellow fever vaccination certificate (required), travel insurance documentation, and copies of all important medical records.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Opioids
Carry a doctor's letter and original prescription. Keep medications in original packaging.
Requires documentation for import. Carry prescriptions and a doctor's letter.
If something breaks.
Availability: Very limited. A few dental clinics in Lomé. No dental services in rural areas.
Cost range: $20-80 USD per visit
Dental care quality is basic. Sterilization standards may not meet international norms. Address all dental issues before traveling.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $55-90/week
Essential for travel to Togo. Ensure coverage includes medical evacuation to Accra (Ghana), South Africa, or Europe. Local facilities cannot handle serious conditions. Cash payment is the norm at all facilities.
Filing a claim
All facilities require upfront cash payment. Obtain detailed receipts and medical reports in French. Insurance claims are submitted after returning home. Keep all documentation and request translations if needed for your insurer.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $15-40 |
| ER visit | $30-100 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $50-200 |
| Ambulance | $20-80 |
Medical costs are very low by international standards but quality is correspondingly limited. Private clinics cost more but offer significantly better care.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Accra, Ghana
Secondary destination: Paris, France
Typical cost band: $20,000-100,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Accra, Ghana is the nearest city with better medical facilities (2-3 hours by road). For serious conditions, evacuation to South Africa or Europe may be needed. Ensure travel insurance covers evacuation from West Africa.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow fever
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Rabies
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, flu)
Yellow fever vaccination is REQUIRED for all travelers. Malaria is widespread — take prophylaxis, sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and use repellent. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4-6 weeks before departure.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Not safe — bottled only — Tap water is NOT safe to drink anywhere in Togo. Use only bottled or purified water for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice. Boil water if bottled water is unavailable. Avoid ice in drinks unless confirmed purified.
Food safety
Eat only thoroughly cooked food served hot. Avoid raw vegetables, salads, and unpeeled fruits unless you wash and peel them yourself. Street food is popular but carries higher risk. Stick to busy vendors where food turnover is high. Wash hands frequently.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: Contact your embassy for referrals or use international telehealth services.
English-speaking therapists: Extremely limited. Most practitioners speak French only.
Mental health services are very limited in Togo. Significant cultural stigma exists. CHU Sylvanus Olympio has a psychiatric department but resources are minimal. Telehealth with your home provider is the best option for ongoing support.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility infrastructure is extremely limited throughout Togo.
Hospital accessibility: Hospitals have minimal accessibility features. Wheelchair access is not standard.
Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Roads are often in poor condition. Motorcycle taxis (zémidjans) are the most common transport but not accessible.
Travelers with mobility challenges should plan very carefully. Hire local assistance. Most buildings, including hotels, lack elevators and ramps. Contact accommodations in advance.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No mandatory mask requirements. May be requested in healthcare facilities.
Testing availability: Limited COVID testing available at CHU Sylvanus Olympio and some private labs in Lomé.
Healthcare capacity for respiratory illness is very limited. Bring personal health supplies including masks and hand sanitizer.
Togo travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Travel Advisory
- U.S. Embassy in Togo