Health Insurance

Someone asked if we had health insurance, and about medical care. Here is the answer:

We don't have health insurance here.  So, cash at doctors. Sometimes it's been quite reasonable (200q=~$25). And sometimes costly ($200US for some more advanced treatment, but definitely expensive, especially for here). Surgery or treatment at the national hospital is free but of dubious/mixed reputation.

There are small private hospitals that are also cash basis, and are better than public hospital.

Plus some self-care is possible. You don't need a prescription at pharmacies, and some pharmacists are well versed in medical topics, so you can sometimes just go in, describe your problem and walk out with what you need.

Plus you don't need doctors orders to go get lab tests, generally, so you can go in for blood tests etc for self-diagnosing.

There are insurers here but we didn't enroll and I don't know anyone who has it.