Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Gabonese embassy or consulate. Some medicines are not available. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage to be useful.
Petty thievery is common in urban areas.
Violent crime such as armed robbery, while not endemic, does occur. 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. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.