Seychelles: Seychelles Health Profile

HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT

Although Seychelles is categorized as a middle gain country, with a high Human Development Index, the economy is very vulnerable due to overdependence on tourism. The Government of Seychelles is the principle health care provider. Its health care provision is inspired by the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles and the Health Policy Declaration, underscoring the principles of basic human rights, equity and access and ensuring the availability of free basic health service to all people.

Government health expenditures are between 11% and 13% of the national budget. A three-tier health care system exists with the bulk of highly specialized treatment provided overseas and almost fully funded by the Government.

Seychelles has completed impressive health care indicators and is on track for most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Immunization coverage in 2006 for BCG, DPT3, OPV3 and measles was 100%. As a result of very high coverage rates, vaccine-preventable diseases have disappeared from the island and the neonatal and infant mortality rates were 6.13 and 9.5 per 1000 live births respectively in the same year. Life expectancy in 2007 stood at 73.1 years - 77.7 for females and 68.9 for males (National Statistics Bureau, Statistical Abstract 2007).

Whilst further evolution is needed particularly in the control of noncommunicable diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases injuries, neoplasm and mental illnesses) which are currently the major burden of diseases due to unhealthy lifestyles, urbanization, aging people, tobacco and alcohol abuse and rising levels of domestic violence. Increases in sexually transmitted diseases inclunding HIV/AIDS, emerging diseases such as chikungunya and dengue and potential threats from Human Avian Influenza call for continued robust surveillance, prevention and control of persisting communicable diseases.