The healthcare system in São Tomé and Príncipe is well-structured and accessible, anchored by one main national hospital and supported by a network of smaller district hospitals and numerous health centers scattered throughout the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. This tiered system ensures that while complex care is centralized, primary and preventative services are available to residents in every community. The nation is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare, from emergency services to specialized treatments. This “all in one content” tutorial is designed to provide a deep dive into the nation’s leading medical facilities. For more information, you can always visit our comprehensive healthcare resource, Myhospitalnow.
Main National Hospital
This institution is the backbone of the public healthcare system, providing a wide range of medical, surgical, and emergency services.
1. Hospital Dr. Ayres de Menezes, São Tomé
Hospital Dr. Ayres de Menezes is the largest and primary medical facility in all of São Tomé and Príncipe. Located in the capital city of São Tomé, it serves as the main referral center for the entire country. This comprehensive hospital has numerous specialized departments, a modern Accident and Emergency Department, and a surgical suite capable of handling complex procedures. It is the central hub for advanced medical care, diagnostics, and specialist consultations.
- Specialization of Treatment: General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics, Urology, and a range of specialist clinics.
- Address: Av. Marginal 12 de Julho, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact Details: Phone: +239 222 1222
- Doctors and Beds: Approximately 50-70 doctors and 200 beds.
District Hospitals and Polyclinics
These facilities provide a higher level of care than local health centers, offering some inpatient services and emergency care for local communities, reducing the burden on the main hospital.
2. Hospital de Padrão, Príncipe Island
This hospital is the main medical facility serving the island of Príncipe. It provides essential medical services, including general medicine, minor surgery, and emergency care, to the residents of the island. This hospital acts as a critical hub for the island’s healthcare, handling cases that would otherwise require a long trip to São Tomé.
- Specialization: General Medicine, Minor Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Emergency Care.
- Address: Padrão, Príncipe, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and general practitioners; has a small number of beds for observation.
3. Policlínica de Neves, Neves
Located in the coastal town of Neves, this polyclinic is an important facility for the local community and surrounding areas. It provides primary care and outpatient services, helping to manage routine health issues and minor emergencies.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Minor Emergency Services, and Outpatient Care.
- Address: Neves, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; has a small number of beds for observation.
4. Policlínica de Trindade, Trindade
The Policlínica de Trindade serves the residents of Trindade and the central districts of São Tomé. It offers primary care and emergency services, providing a crucial safety net for the region’s population and helping to alleviate pressure on the main hospital.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Minor Emergency Services, and Outpatient Care.
- Address: Trindade, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; has a small number of beds for observation.
Health Centers and Clinics
This extensive network forms the foundation of primary and preventative care across all the islands. Each center provides essential medical services to its local community.
5. Health Center of Santana, Santana, São Tomé
The Santana Health Center provides essential primary care to the community of Santana. Its services include maternal and child health, vaccinations, and chronic disease management, serving as a critical link in the public health system.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations.
- Address: Santana, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
6. Health Center of Pantufo, Pantufo, São Tomé
Located near the capital city, the Pantufo Health Center is a vital resource for its community. It focuses on preventative care, health screenings, and general primary medical services.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Health Screenings, and Family Planning.
- Address: Pantufo, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
7. Health Center of Neves, Neves, São Tomé
The Neves Health Center serves the residents of Neves and the surrounding areas. It provides a wide range of primary care services, including maternal and child health, and is an important center for community health programs.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations.
- Address: Neves, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
8. Health Center of Madalena, Madalena, Príncipe
Located on the island of Príncipe, this health center is a key facility for primary care. It provides services such as chronic disease management and health education to its community.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Chronic Disease Management, and Public Health services.
- Address: Madalena, Príncipe, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
9. Health Center of Caixão Grande, Caixão Grande, São Tomé
This center is an important resource for the communities in the Caixão Grande district. It offers primary care services, including prenatal and postnatal care, and essential vaccinations.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations.
- Address: Caixão Grande, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
10. Health Center of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, São Tomé
The Santa Catarina Health Center provides essential primary care to its community on the western coast of São Tomé. It is an important resource for preventative care and health education, helping residents manage their health proactively.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Health Education, and Family Medicine.
- Address: Santa Catarina, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
11. Health Center of Santo António, Santo António, Príncipe
Located in the main town of Santo António on Príncipe Island, this health center is a vital part of the local healthcare network. It offers primary care services, including vaccinations and prenatal care, ensuring that essential medical services are accessible to the community.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Immunizations, and Prenatal Care.
- Address: Santo António, Príncipe, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
12. Health Center of Guadalupe, Guadalupe, São Tomé
This community clinic provides essential primary care services to its local population. It focuses on preventative care and health education, serving as an important access point for basic medical services.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Health Screenings, and Outpatient Care.
- Address: Guadalupe, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
13. Health Center of Água Grande, Água Grande, São Tomé
The Água Grande Health Center is a community clinic that provides primary care services to the residents of Água Grande and the surrounding area. It plays a crucial role in providing maternal and child health services and a range of health education programs.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations.
- Address: Água Grande, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
14. Health Center of Lembá, Lembá, São Tomé
This center provides primary care and public health services to the residents of Lembá. It is an important part of the healthcare network on the western coast of São Tomé, ensuring that essential medical services are accessible to all communities.
- Specialization: Primary Care and Public Health services for the local community.
- Address: Lembá, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
15. Health Center of Cão Grande, Cão Grande, São Tomé
The Cão Grande Health Center provides primary care and family medicine to the community of Cão Grande. It works in close collaboration with the main hospital to deliver comprehensive healthcare services to the eastern part of São Tomé.
- Specialization: Primary Care and Family Medicine.
- Address: Cão Grande, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
16. Health Center of Ribeira Afonso, Ribeira Afonso, São Tomé
This community clinic on the southern coast of São Tomé provides primary care and preventative services to its local population. It is a vital part of the healthcare system, ensuring that residents have access to essential medical services.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Health Screenings, and Outpatient Care.
- Address: Ribeira Afonso, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
17. Health Center of Micoló, Micoló, São Tomé
The Micoló Health Center provides primary care services to its community in the northern part of São Tomé. It is an important resource for health education and a key access point for basic medical services.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Health Education, and Family Medicine.
- Address: Micoló, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
18. Health Center of São João dos Angolares, São João dos Angolares, São Tomé
Located in São João dos Angolares, this health center is a vital part of the local healthcare network on the eastern side of São Tomé. It offers primary care services, including vaccinations and prenatal care, ensuring that essential medical services are accessible to the community.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Immunizations, and Prenatal Care.
- Address: São João dos Angolares, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
19. Health Center of Piedade, Piedade, São Tomé
This community clinic in Piedade provides essential primary care services to its local population. It focuses on preventative care and health education, serving as an important access point for basic medical services.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Health Screenings, and Outpatient Care.
- Address: Piedade, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
20. Health Center of Monte Café, Monte Café, São Tomé
The Monte Café Health Center is a community clinic located in the mountainous region. It provides primary care services to the residents of Monte Café, including maternal and child health services and a range of health education programs.
- Specialization: Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations.
- Address: Monte Café, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Contact: N/A
- Doctors and Beds: Staffed by nurses and a general practitioner; no inpatient beds.
Conclusion
Understanding the healthcare options in São Tomé and Príncipe is essential, whether you’re a resident, an expatriate, or a medical tourist. As this detailed guide shows, the healthcare system is robust and well-organized, with a clear focus on providing high-quality care through its main hospital and a distributed network of district hospitals and community health centers. This commitment to healthcare excellence is vital for the well-being of the nation’s people.