Residential armed break-ins are common. The police are ill-equipped and largely incapable of providing effective protection. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets, A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa , provid e useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Hospitals and medical facilities are poorly equipped and incapable of providing basic services.
Medicines are scarce or often unavailable in most areas.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage.