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Sal’s Hospitals, Clinics and Pharmacies: Useful Information
Whether you are on the island as a tourist or resident, it’s good to have up-to-date information on the nearest health centres and pharmacies. Health is a primary value, and it is crucial to protect it and to be able to get help quickly and efficiently in the event of illness or accident. I had the opportunity to visit almost all of the local clinics when I fell ill a few weeks after arriving on the island, and I still remember how much stress it caused me to search for information with a fever. Therefore, in this article, I tried to gather all the information on the island’s private and public health centres and pharmacies.
HOSPITALS
There are two small hospitals on the island, one in Santa Maria and the other in Espargos. Below are details and contacts for both facilities.
Centro de Saúde de Santa Maria (Hospital)
The Santa Maria hospital is located next to the police station, around 5-10 minutes north of the city centre. The emergency entrance (for emergency and internist consultations) is through the glass doors on the right side of the building. The waiting time for an appointment depends on the traffic in the hospital and the time of day – it is a good idea to come early (around 9 am).
Some doctors don’t speak English well, so it is a good idea to take a Portuguese-speaking friend with you or to communicate with the help of an online translator (but you will need a telephone with working wifi to do this). The staff there are generally friendly and helpful.
Price for emergency consultation: 25 euros (tourists), 15 euros (residents), 2 euros (local)
Google Maps: Centro de Saúde de Santa Maria, J32V+HW4, Santa Maria
Phone: (+238) 242-11-30
Hospital Do Sal in Espargos
The Hospital Do Sal in Espargos is the main hospital on the island. The emergency is open 24 hours per day. The place offers help with basic injuries and illnesses. Even if it’s the main one, the hospital is small and doesn’t hire many specialists, so if you need specialistic help the place doesn’t provide, you have to visit one of the private clinics or travel out of Sal Island to other health centres.
As in Santa Maria, in Espargos’ Hospital, few doctors speak fluent English, so it’s a good idea to take a translator with you or help yourself with an online one.
Google Maps: Hospital do Sal, R. Albertino Fortes, Espargos
Phone: (+238) 241-11-30
PRIVATE CLINICS
You can find several private and public clinics on the island. The best (most liked) ones seem to be the following:
Clinitur in Santa Maria
Clinitur is a private hospital in Santa Maria offering a wide range of specialists and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To make an appointment, call or go to the place in person and leave your local phone number (the clinic does not accept other forms of contact). On this number, you will receive information about your appointment.
Address: Clinitur, H3WM+MC8, Santa Maria
Tel: +238 242 90 90
Mail: geral@clinitur.com
Website: clinitur.com
Policlínica Cardiomed in Espargos
CARDIOMED was established as a Cardiology Medical Centre in 2005. Today, it is a multi-speciality hospital and clinic. Plateau-Largo Hospital Agostinho Neto is its current headquarters. Currently, it offers a wide variety of services, including aeronautical medical inspections, occupational medicine inspections, psychometric testing, routine check-ups, and services in various other areas.
Address: Largo Hospital Agostinho Neto – Plateau
Mail: cardiomed.clinica@cvtelecom
Tel: +238 262 76 00 / +238 999 90 30
PHARMACIES
(!) IMPORTANT
Please bear in mind that almost all products, including medicines, are imported to Cabo Verde from other far countries, so there may often be a lack or shortage of commonly used medications. Therefore, if you are taking medication on a regular basis or need quick access to it, it is best to buy it earlier and keep track of your supplies. Don’t risk a situation where you need your meds and the local pharmacy has run out of them.
Pharmacy in Santa Maria
The pharmacy in Santa Maria is located in the city centre and is quite easy to find. If you cannot find it, ask passers-by. They will help you find the quickest way to reach it.
Address: R. Amilcar Cabral, H3XV+R82, Santa Maria
Tel: +238 242 18 82
Farmácia Ivete Santos
Farmácia Ivete Santos is situated near the Hospital and Nazarene Church.
Address: Rua 3 de Agosto, Q344+54Q, Espargos
Phone: +238 241 14 17
Farmácia Aliança in Espargos
Address: Farmácia Aliança, Q345+24W, Espargos
Phone: +238 241 11 09
