Health & Medical Services in Nauru

Use this page to understand emergency numbers, routine medical planning, hospital services, and what to have ready if you need health support while in Nauru.

📋 Emergency & Travel Checklist

• Save emergency numbers before you travel — Police 110, Fire 111, Ambulance 112
• Carry prescriptions and basic medical info — including current medications, known allergies, and blood type
• Pack essential medicines in your hand luggage — Nauru's pharmacy may not stock every medication; bring a supply for your entire stay plus a small reserve
• Know the hospital location — Nauru General Hospital (Republic of Nauru Hospital) is in Yaren, a short drive from the airport
• Plan your transport route — identify how you will reach the hospital in an emergency (car, taxi, or ambulance)
• Get travel insurance — medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended; Nauru cannot treat all complex conditions on-island
• Check vaccination requirements — yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from an endemic area; routine vaccinations (tetanus, hepatitis A/B, typhoid) are recommended

🚨 Emergency Numbers

🔢 Step-by-Step Guides

Visiting the Hospital (Non-Emergency)

1. Go to Nauru General Hospital — located in Yaren, open 24/7 for emergencies; outpatient clinics operate Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
2. Register at the reception desk — provide your name, date of birth, and reason for visit; visitors should have their passport ready
3. Wait for triage — a nurse will assess your condition and direct you to the appropriate department (outpatient, specialist clinic, or emergency)
4. Consult with a doctor — explain your symptoms and medical history; bring a list of current medications
5. Receive treatment or prescription — the doctor will provide a treatment plan; if medication is prescribed, you will receive a prescription to fill at the hospital pharmacy or a local pharmacy
6. Pay any applicable fees — Nauruan citizens receive free public healthcare; visitors may be charged a consultation fee (currently ~AUD $20–50, subject to change)
7. Follow up as advised — schedule any follow-up appointments before leaving the hospital

Getting a Prescription Filled

1. Obtain a prescription from a doctor — prescriptions from Nauru General Hospital or a visiting specialist are accepted at the hospital pharmacy
2. Take the prescription to the pharmacy — the hospital pharmacy is located on the ground floor of Nauru General Hospital; open Mon–Fri 09:00–16:30
3. Present your identification — citizens present a national ID or birth certificate; visitors present a passport
4. Pay for the medication — some medications are subsidised; generic alternatives may be offered if a specific brand is unavailable
5. Confirm dosage and instructions — ask the pharmacist to explain dosage, timing, and any side effects before leaving

Medical Evacuation (Medevac) — If Specialist Care Is Needed

1. Attending doctor assesses — if a condition exceeds the hospital's capacity, the doctor initiates a medevac request
2. Contact the Medevac Coordinator — the hospital liaises with overseas medical facilities (typically in Brisbane or Suva)
3. Insurance verification — travel or health insurance is contacted to confirm coverage; patients without insurance must arrange payment upfront
4. Travel arrangements — coordinated with airlines (Nauru Airlines) and receiving hospital
5. Patient transport — patient is escorted by medical staff to the destination hospital

💊 Health Services Overview

🧳 Travel Health Preparation

Visitors should prepare the following before travelling to Nauru:

• Regular medications — bring enough for your entire stay plus 1–2 weeks extra in case of travel delays
• Medication letters — a letter from your doctor detailing your condition and prescribed medications (helpful for customs and emergencies)
• Small first-aid kit — plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain relief (paracetamol/ibuprofen), antihistamines, diarrhoea relief, and rehydration sachets
• Sun protection — high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat (Nauru is near the equator with strong UV year-round)
• Insect repellent — mosquito repellent with DEET for dengue prevention; Nauru has periodic dengue fever outbreaks
• Travel insurance documents — carry a copy of your policy and emergency contact number

➡️ Next Steps