Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 193 for National Ambulance Service. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra) is the main public trauma centre. Private hospitals (Lister, Nyaho, Trust) have their own emergency departments with shorter waits. English spoken throughout healthcare system. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of emergency admissions — Ghanaian roads are dangerous.
Response time: 15-30 minutes in Accra. 30-60+ minutes in other cities. Rural areas: potentially hours. National Ambulance Service coverage is expanding but remains limited outside major cities.
Cost: Public ER: GHS 50-200 (€4-15). Private ER: GHS 200-1,500 (€15-115). Private hospital admission: GHS 500-3,000/day (€38-230). Surgery (private): GHS 5,000-50,000 (€380-3,800). Air evacuation to South Africa/Europe: €15,000-50,000+.
Healthcare System
Ghana has one of West Africa's most developed healthcare systems. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers residents, but visitors rely on private facilities. Accra has several modern private hospitals. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra) is West Africa's second-largest hospital and the main public referral centre. Private hospitals like The Lister Hospital, Nyaho Medical Centre, and The Trust Hospital offer English-speaking, modern care. Outside Accra and Kumasi, healthcare infrastructure drops significantly. English is the official language — a major advantage for visitors. Key challenge: northern Ghana has very limited healthcare. Ghana is increasingly popular with diaspora visitors and heritage tourists (Year of Return legacy). Medical evacuation to South Africa or Europe for complex cases.
Designed for: Ghanaian residents with NHIS membership. Visitors use private hospitals — cash or insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Walk-in at private hospitals and clinics. Private GP consultations available same-day. Some clinics require appointment. Public polyclinics for registered NHIS members.
Typical wait: Private clinic: same-day. Public polyclinic: 1-4 hours. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Availability: Good private options in Accra (Greater Accra Region). Moderate in Kumasi (Ashanti Region), Takoradi (Western Region), Tamale (Northern Region). Very limited in rural areas, especially Upper East, Upper West, and Northern regions.
GP Visit
Private GP: GHS 100-400 (€8-30)
Private GP
GHS 100-400 (€8-30) per consultation
ER Without Insurance
Private ER: GHS 200-1,500 (€15-115). Hospital admission: GHS 500-3,000/day. Surgery: GHS 5,000-50,000+. Air evacuation: €15,000-50,000+.
Medication
Medications affordable by international standards. Pharmacies widespread in cities. Quality varies — buy from established pharmacies (e.g., Ernest Chemists chain). Antimalarials widely available. Prescription required for antibiotics formally, but enforcement variable. Counterfeit medication risk exists — use reputable sources.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm in cities. Some 24-hour pharmacies in Accra. Rural areas: limited hours.
OTC: Wide range available. Many medications sold OTC that would require prescription in Europe. Antimalarials, antibiotics, and pain relief widely available. Quality from reputable pharmacies is generally good.
Controlled substances: Carry doctor's letter for all prescription medications. Ghana has strict drug laws — cannabis possession carries severe penalties despite cultural prevalence. Narcotics trafficking carries death penalty.
Practical Tips
- The Lister Hospital, Nyaho Medical Centre, and The Trust Hospital in Accra are the best private options
- Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is the main public facility — functional but overcrowded
- Yellow Fever certificate: get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel
- Malaria prophylaxis: start before arrival. Use DEET repellent and sleep under treated nets.
- Drink bottled water only — waterborne disease risk is real
- Ernest Chemists is a reputable pharmacy chain — use for medication purchases
- Road safety: use reputable taxi services or Uber/Bolt (available in Accra)
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential — complex cases go to South Africa or Europe
Who can get care in Ghana?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Ghana treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private hospitals and clinics. Private GP consultations available same-day. Some clinics require appointment. Public polyclinics for registered NHIS members. Typical cost: Private GP: GHS 100-400 (€8-30). Private specialist: GHS 200-800 (€15-60). Lab tests: GHS 50-500 (€4-38). Dental: GHS 100-500 (€8-38). Typical wait: Private clinic: same-day. Public polyclinic: 1-4 hours. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: Private ER: GHS 200-1,500 (€15-115). Hospital admission: GHS 500-3,000/day. Surgery: GHS 5,000-50,000+. Air evacuation: €15,000-50,000+..
Documents worth having ready
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (MANDATORY)
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Malaria prophylaxis medication
- All prescription medications for full trip
- Doctor's letter for medications
Local contacts in Ghana
Emergency services
193 (ambulance — National Ambulance Service) / 191 (fire) / 192 (police)
Call 193 for National Ambulance Service. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra) is the main public trauma centre. Private hospitals (Lister, Nyaho, Trust) have their own emergency departments with shorter waits. English spoken throughout healthcare system. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of emergency admissions — Ghanaian roads are dangerous.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm in cities. Some 24-hour pharmacies in Accra. Rural areas: limited hours.
Wide range available. Many medications sold OTC that would require prescription in Europe. Antimalarials, antibiotics, and pain relief widely available. Quality from reputable pharmacies is generally good.
What is the emergency number in Ghana?
193 (ambulance — National Ambulance Service) or 191 (fire) or 192 (police) in Ghana. Call 193 for National Ambulance Service. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra) is the main public trauma centre. Private hospitals (Lister, Nyaho, Trust) have their own emergency departments with shorter waits. English spoken throughout healthcare system. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of emergency admissions — Ghanaian roads are dangerous.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Ghana?
Private GP: GHS 100-400 (€8-30). Private specialist: GHS 200-800 (€15-60). Lab tests: GHS 50-500 (€4-38). Dental: GHS 100-500 (€8-38). Private consultations: GHS 100-400 (€8-30) per consultation.
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Sources: Ghana Health Service, WHO Ghana, CDC Travelers Health Ghana 2025, UK FCDO Travel Advice Ghana
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare