Top 20 Hospitals in São Tomé and Príncipe

1. Ayres de Menezes Central Hospital

Ayres de Menezes Central Hospital is the largest and most advanced medical facility in São Tomé and Príncipe. Located in the capital city of São Tomé, it serves as the primary referral hospital for the entire nation. The hospital offers a wide range of medical services including emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics.

The hospital is particularly renowned for its tropical disease treatment center, specializing in malaria, dengue fever, and other parasitic infections common in the region. It also has a well-equipped diagnostic imaging department with X-ray and ultrasound capabilities. The maternity ward handles the majority of high-risk pregnancies in the country.

2. Dr. Manuel Quaresma Dias Health Center

Located in the city of Trindade, this health center is one of the best-equipped secondary care facilities in the country. It serves the central region of São Tomé Island and provides both outpatient and inpatient services. The center has specialized departments for family medicine, chronic disease management, and minor surgical procedures.

Dr. Manuel Quaresma Dias Health Center is particularly known for its diabetes and hypertension management programs, which are among the most comprehensive in the nation. The facility also operates a busy vaccination center and provides antenatal and postnatal care services. Its laboratory performs basic diagnostic tests that are crucial for primary healthcare.

3. Santana Health Center

Santana Health Center serves the northern region of São Tomé Island and is recognized for its community health programs. The facility provides general medical consultations, maternal-child health services, and basic emergency care. It operates 24/7 to handle medical emergencies in its catchment area.

This health center has gained recognition for its successful malaria prevention and treatment program, significantly reducing malaria incidence in the region. It also runs nutrition programs for children and pregnant women. The center collaborates with international health organizations to implement disease surveillance and vaccination campaigns.

4. Neves Ferreira Health Center

Located in the town of Neves, this health center provides essential medical services to the western part of São Tomé Island. It offers general medical care, pediatric services, and basic surgical procedures. The center has a small inpatient capacity for observation and recovery cases.

Neves Ferreira Health Center is particularly known for its wound care and burn treatment unit, which serves many patients from the surrounding agricultural areas. The facility also operates a successful HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment program in collaboration with international partners. Its pharmacy provides essential medicines to the local population.

5. Príncipe Regional Hospital

As the main healthcare facility on Príncipe Island, this hospital serves the entire population of the smaller island in the archipelago. It provides comprehensive medical services including emergency care, surgery, obstetrics, and pediatrics. The hospital has basic laboratory and radiology services.

Príncipe Regional Hospital is particularly known for handling trauma cases related to fishing and maritime activities. It also runs successful programs for maternal and child health, significantly improving health indicators on the island. The hospital collaborates with international medical teams that periodically visit to provide specialized care.

6. Guadalupe Health Center

Located in the southern part of São Tomé Island, Guadalupe Health Center serves a large rural population. The facility provides primary healthcare services including general consultations, prenatal care, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses. It has a small observation ward for patients needing short-term monitoring.

This health center is particularly known for its community health worker program that extends medical services to remote villages. It has been successful in reducing child mortality through its integrated management of childhood illness program. The center also provides health education and conducts regular outreach programs in the community.

7. Bom Sucesso Health Post

Bom Sucesso Health Post is a smaller facility that provides basic healthcare services to the central highland region of São Tomé Island. It offers outpatient consultations, first aid, and maternal-child health services. The health post is staffed by nurses and receives regular visits from doctors.

This facility is particularly known for its respiratory disease treatment program, serving many patients from the cooler highland areas. It also provides care for chronic conditions like hypertension and arthritis. The health post plays a crucial role in early detection and referral of more serious medical cases to larger facilities.

8. Pantufo Health Center

Located in the suburbs of São Tomé city, Pantufo Health Center serves a growing urban population. The facility provides comprehensive primary care services including general medicine, pediatrics, antenatal care, and treatment for chronic diseases. It has basic laboratory services for diagnostic testing.

This health center is particularly known for its diabetes care program, serving many patients in the urban area. It also runs successful hypertension and cardiovascular risk reduction clinics. The center collaborates closely with Ayres de Menezes Hospital for specialist referrals and follow-up care.

9. Angolares Health Center

Serving the southeastern coast of São Tomé Island, Angolares Health Center provides essential medical services to fishing communities. The facility offers general medical care, emergency first response, and maternal-child health services. It has a small ward for overnight observation of patients.

This health center is particularly known for treating marine-related injuries and tropical skin conditions. It also runs successful nutrition programs for children in the fishing communities. The center plays a key role in disease surveillance and reporting for its coastal region.

10. Ribeira Afonso Health Center

Located in the eastern part of São Tomé Island, Ribeira Afonso Health Center serves both rural and semi-urban populations. The facility provides general medical consultations, minor surgical procedures, maternal health services, and pediatric care. It has basic diagnostic capabilities including malaria testing.

This health center is particularly known for its successful malaria control program in an area that was previously high-risk. It also provides comprehensive care for pregnant women and newborns, contributing to improved maternal health indicators. The center collaborates with community organizations to address health determinants like clean water and sanitation.

11. Monte Café Health Post

Serving the coffee plantation region of São Tomé, Monte Café Health Post provides basic medical services to rural workers and their families. The facility offers first aid, treatment for common illnesses, prenatal check-ups, and child health services. It is staffed by nurses and receives periodic visits from doctors.

This health post is particularly known for treating agricultural injuries and pesticide-related health issues. It also runs successful programs for nutrition and child growth monitoring in the plantation communities. The health post plays a crucial role in early detection and referral of more serious health conditions.

12. Santo Amaro Health Center

Located on the northeast coast of São Tomé Island, Santo Amaro Health Center serves both local residents and fishing communities. The facility provides general medical care, emergency first response, maternal-child health services, and treatment for common tropical diseases. It has basic laboratory capabilities.

This health center is particularly known for its successful schistosomiasis control program in an endemic area. It also provides comprehensive care for respiratory infections, which are common in the coastal region. The center collaborates with fishing cooperatives to improve occupational health and safety.

13. Madalena Health Center

Madalena Health Center serves the northern tip of São Tomé Island, providing essential medical services to a dispersed population. The facility offers outpatient consultations, maternal-child health services, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses. It has a small observation ward for patients needing short-term monitoring.

This health center is particularly known for its mobile clinic program that reaches remote villages. It has been successful in improving vaccination coverage in hard-to-reach areas. The center also provides health education and works closely with traditional birth attendants to improve maternal outcomes.

14. Porto Alegre Health Post

Located in the southernmost part of São Tomé Island, Porto Alegre Health Post serves a small but geographically isolated community. The facility provides basic medical care, first aid, prenatal check-ups, and child health services. It is staffed by nurses and receives periodic visits from doctors.

This health post is particularly known for its successful community health education programs. It has played a key role in improving sanitation and reducing waterborne diseases in the area. The health post also provides essential medicines and refers more serious cases to larger facilities.

15. Santa Catarina Health Center

Serving the western region of São Tomé Island, Santa Catarina Health Center provides comprehensive primary healthcare services. The facility offers general medical consultations, maternal-child health services, treatment for chronic diseases, and minor surgical procedures. It has basic laboratory and pharmacy services.

This health center is particularly known for its hypertension management program, which serves a large patient population. It also runs successful programs for malaria prevention and treatment. The center collaborates with local schools to provide health education and screening services.

16. Ilhéu das Rolas Health Post

Located on the small island of Ilhéu das Rolas, this health post serves both the local population and tourists visiting the equatorial landmark. The facility provides basic first aid, treatment for common illnesses, and emergency stabilization. It is staffed by nurses and receives periodic visits from doctors.

This health post is particularly known for handling diving-related medical issues and marine envenomations. It also provides travel health advice and vaccinations for visitors. The health post plays a crucial role in emergency evacuation coordination for more serious medical cases.

17. São João dos Angolares Health Center

Serving the historic town of São João dos Angolares and surrounding areas, this health center provides comprehensive primary healthcare services. The facility offers general medical consultations, maternal-child health services, treatment for chronic diseases, and minor surgical procedures. It has basic diagnostic capabilities.

This health center is particularly known for its nutrition rehabilitation program for malnourished children. It also runs successful programs for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The center collaborates with local cultural organizations to deliver health messages through traditional art forms.

18. Nova Estrela Health Center

Located in a growing suburban area near São Tomé city, Nova Estrela Health Center serves an urbanizing population. The facility provides general medical care, pediatric services, antenatal care, and treatment for chronic diseases. It has basic laboratory services and a well-stocked pharmacy.

This health center is particularly known for its adolescent health program, addressing the needs of a young population. It also runs successful programs for diabetes management and cardiovascular risk reduction. The center collaborates with community organizations to address urban health challenges.

19. Batepá Health Center

Serving the central region of São Tomé Island, Batepá Health Center provides essential medical services to both rural and semi-urban populations. The facility offers general medical consultations, maternal-child health services, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses. It has a small observation ward.

This health center is particularly known for its successful tuberculosis control program. It also provides comprehensive care for pregnant women and newborns. The center collaborates with agricultural cooperatives to address occupational health issues in farming communities.

20. Hospital da Liberdade (Private Clinic)

Hospital da Liberdade is one of the few private medical facilities in São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the capital city. The clinic provides general medical services, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and minor surgical procedures. It caters to both local residents and expatriates.

This private hospital is particularly known for its dental clinic and ophthalmology services, which are among the best in the country. It also provides executive health check-ups and travel medicine services. The clinic collaborates with international partners to bring specialist medical teams for periodic consultations.