🇨🇲 Cameroon Healthcare Guide
Douala and Yaounde have private clinics that provide adequate care — Clinique de la Cathedrale and Centre Pasteur are commonly used by visitors — but the gap between these cities and the rest of Cameroon is significant, with the north and far north provinces having very basic facilities. Yellow Fever vaccination is required, and having your certificate alongside your medical summary available in French or English — both are used in the healthcare system — covers you across the country's linguistic divide.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 15
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $15 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Douala and Yaoundé have Cameroon’s best hospitals, with Centre Hospitalier d’Essos, Hôpital Général de Douala, and private clinics offering reasonable care. Cameroon operates in both French and English, with the Anglophone regions (Southwest, Northwest) having a different healthcare culture. Outside major cities, healthcare is basic. The Anglophone regions have experienced security disruptions affecting medical access.
Bilingual medical system
Cameroon’s healthcare operates in both French and English. Which language predominates depends on the region you are in.
Anglophone region disruptions
The Southwest and Northwest regions have experienced security-related healthcare disruptions. Verify conditions before travelling to these areas.
Vaccinations
Required
- Yellow Fever
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Meningitis
- Rabies
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pharmacies in Douala and Yaoundé carry common medications at low prices, following French pharmaceutical conventions. Counterfeit medications circulate. Buy from licensed pharmacies and carry your full supply for travel outside major cities.
Counterfeit risk in markets
Buy medications from licensed pharmacies only. Street and market vendors may sell counterfeit or expired products.
Tips for travellers
Douala and Yaoundé’s hospitals cover basic specialist care. For complex conditions, Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Accra (Ghana), or Paris serve as referral destinations. Having your treatment plan accessible in French or English (depending on region) helps Cameroonian specialists continue your care.
Regional referral options
Abidjan and Accra are the nearest specialist hubs. Paris remains the traditional referral for complex cases requiring French-language specialist care.