November 28, 2025
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this guide is for informational purposes only. The author is not a medical practitioner. Always seek professional medical advice from a qualified doctor or travel health clinic before and during your trip.
Local medical care in São Tomé and Príncipe requires preparation before arrival. The islands offer rewarding travel experiences, but local health facilities are limited compared to international standards. Visitors need comprehensive planning and realistic expectations for accessing medical services safely. For up to date information refer to current WHO guidelines.
All travelers should carry comprehensive medical travel insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage. São Tomé medical care lacks specialist services for serious conditions, meaning evacuation to better-equipped centres abroad is often necessary. The islands have limited specialist orthopaedic doctors, so severe fractures or crush injuries require swift evacuation for proper treatment.
Bring all personal medication for your entire trip, plus basic supplies including pain relief, rehydration salts, bandages, and regular prescriptions. Keep a cash reserve for medical situations, as many São Tomé medical care facilities require upfront payment. Read our logistics guide for more information.
Important: São Tomé and Príncipe has no resident embassies from most Western countries. Consular services are provided from Angola.
If you need São Tomé medical care evacuation or emergency consular assistance, British, American, and several European nations provide support through their embassies in Luanda, Angola.
British Citizens
Contact the British Embassy Luanda at +44 1908 516 666 for 24/7 emergency consular assistance
The UK Ambassador is accredited to both Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe. Contact us directly for immediate emergency consular support; we hold the Ambassador’s high-level mobile contact.
US Citizens
Contact the US Embassy in Luanda at +244 222 641 000 for emergency assistance
Register your trip through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov
Portuguese Citizens
Portugal maintains a full embassy in São Tomé city at Av. Marginal 12 de Julho
Phone: +239 222 11 30 (general) or +239 222 41 51 (consular section)
Check with your foreign ministry before travel to confirm which embassy covers São Tomé and Príncipe consular services. Most European countries provide coverage through their Angola missions.
The Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde) is the primary State institution in São Tomé and Príncipe responsible for managing and implementing the national health policy. Its primary objectives include expanding and improving the accessibility of health services, reinforcing national reference hospitals, and improving the availability of medicines and vaccines across the islands.
The Ministry oversees the inspection and licensing of all health establishments, including public and private doctors’ clinics and pharmacies. For travellers seeking official information on disease control programmes (such as Malaria or vaccination schedules), the Ministry’s website is the ultimate source.
Most travellers need routine vaccinations plus Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tdap. Yellow Fever certification is required if arriving from or transiting through risk countries.
Malaria in São Tomé and Príncipe
Malaria is present throughout both islands. Take prophylaxis recommended by your doctor, use insect repellent, cover exposed skin during evenings, and sleep under mosquito nets when necessary. Malaria prevention is a critical component of travel health preparation.
Water Safety
Tap water is unsafe to drink. Use only bottled or treated water and avoid ice unless confirmed safe. Avoid raw salads and undercooked food. Freshwater rivers and inland pools carry parasitic infection risks, so avoid swimming or wading in fresh water. Sea swimming and hotel pools are safe.
Hospital Central Dr. Ayres de Menezes
The main public hospital providing general medical support is Hospital Central Dr. Ayres de Menezes in São Tomé city. This public facility provides general medical services and key diagnostics including CT scanning. For imaging or detailed testing, this is the primary medical resource available. However, capacity remains limited. Serious trauma, advanced surgery, or intensive care usually requires evacuation abroad once patients are stabilised locally.
Finding English-Speaking Doctors: Clínica ARS Médica
Clínica ARS Médica is a private clinic in São Tomé city used by residents and foreign travellers. Several doctors speak English, including Dr. Rita who has worked as a doctor for the NHS , making it the most accessible option for visitors needing non-critical assistance. The telephone number is 224 4050.
Standard consultations cost 200 dobras, payable on arrival.
The clinic handles non-trauma issues, infections, minor injuries, and general medical advice reliably. For routine health problems, you can walk in and pay without prior appointment.
Location:8PMP+8WH, EN nº 2, São Tomé – near the stadium, taxi drivers should know it.
Cost: 200 dobras per consultation
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Services: General medicine, minor injurixes, infections, prescriptions
Pharmacies (farmácias) exist in São Tomé city, but medication availability is inconsistent. Never rely on replacing essential prescriptions locally. Bring everything you need, plus extra supplies for potential delays. At the bottom of this São Tomé medical care guide is a printable wallet sized card with emergency numbers, including the pharmacies, it’s wise to take it with you.
Finding Well-Stocked Pharmacies (Local Knowledge)
Outside the capital, medication availability is extremely limited or nonexistent.
Warning: Black Market Medications
Never purchase medication from informal vendors. These medications are often expired and dangerously stored. Use licensed pharmacies only for São Tomé medical care needs.
The direct hospital emergency number is 222 22 22. The unified emergency number 112 may connect to ambulance, police, or fire services depending on location.
Ambulance coverage can be limited with unpredictable response times. Be prepared to organise private transport in emergencies. Hotels, guides, and drivers can organise rapid transport to Clínica ARS Médica or Hospital Central Dr. Ayres de Menezes.
Many serious conditions cannot be treated with available São Tomé medical care. Major trauma, severe infections, strokes, cardiac events, or conditions requiring specialist intervention often necessitate medical evacuation.
Travel insurance with full evacuation coverage ensures transport from local facilities to better-equipped hospitals abroad, typically in Portugal or regional hubs. Evacuation logistics take time, so contact your insurer immediately while local teams stabilise patients. Your embassy in Luanda can provide consular support during medical evacuations.
Print and laminate this wallet-sized emergency contact card to carry with your passport. The card includes all essential medical and consular emergency numbers for São Tomé and Príncipe.
Download Emergency Reference Card (PDF)
The card is sized at 4×6 inches, perfect for laminating at home or at any print shop. Keep it with your travel documents for quick access to health contacts.