A stark warning has been issued by the Foreign Office to nearly one million tourists planning to visit a popular African destination. The Government’s latest travel advisory for Cape Verde cautions about the country’s limited medical facilities for visitors.

According to the updated advice published on February 24, medical facilities throughout Cape Verde are deemed “basic and limited”.

Additionally, visitors may struggle to access certain medications, as “some medicines are in short supply or unavailable”. The island of Boa Vista, located in eastern Cape Verde, has been specifically highlighted by the Foreign Office for its limited medical facilities.

Those concerned about the availability of hospitals in Cape Verde should note that the largest hospitals are situated in Prai on Santiago and Mindelo on Sao Vicente. However, medical air evacuations may be particularly challenging on the islands of Brava and Santo Antao due to the absence of functioning airports.

Language barriers may also pose a challenge for tourists, as Portuguese is the predominant language used in written and spoken communication. Nevertheless, official guidance points out that there are two hospitals with English-speaking staff:

• Clinica Boa Esperanca, Boa Vista
• Clinitur, Santa Maria

If you are on regular medication, it is important to note that the Foreign Office advises that the legal status and regulations of certain UK-prescribed medicines can differ in other countries.

In Cape Verde, for instance, medication can only be purchased from a registered pharmacy. If you are travelling with medication, ensure you have enough to last your entire trip.

If you run out, you can use a UK prescription at a pharmacy, but bear in mind that the same strength or dosage may not be available. If you require a repeat prescription, you can visit the nearest health centre or hospital emergency department.

A comprehensive list of Cape Verde’s registered pharmacies, approved by the country’s Ministry of Health, can be found here.