Marshall Islands (MH)
A remote Micronesian atoll nation using USD, with English as an official language, a Compact of Free Association relationship with the United States, high imported-goods costs, limited medical capacity, and relocation risks centred on immigration status, housing supply, land tenure, health evacuation, and outer-island logistics.
Healthcare in Marshall Islands
The RMI healthcare system is a small mixed public system anchored by Majuro and Ebeye hospitals, outer-island clinics, and overseas referral pathways. Routine care is possible, but specialist, ICU, trauma, oncology, mental-health, and complex maternity capacity is limited. Expats should carry international insurance with medical evacuation.
Small-island system with limited specialist capacity; health outcomes and infrastructure are constrained by geography, workforce, and funding.
Public healthcare: Ministry of Health and Human Services
RMI public healthcare system
- Primary care
- Emergency stabilisation
- Maternal and child health
- Vaccination programmes
- Outer-island clinics
- Selected public-health programmes
- Most overseas private care without referral/insurance
- Extensive specialist treatment not available locally
- Routine dental/optical for many adults
- Private evacuation without policy approval
Private healthcare: Private clinics, employer clinics, and overseas private care
Accessing care
Use public clinics, hospital outpatient departments, employer clinics, or recommended private doctors. Establish a doctor soon after arrival.
Many specialties require overseas referral or telemedicine. Insurance pre-authorisation is critical.
Go to Majuro or Ebeye hospital for emergency stabilisation. For outer islands, evacuation to Majuro may be the first step before international evacuation.
Hospital emergency departments are the main fallback. Save direct hospital and employer emergency numbers.
Medicine availability is inconsistent. Bring a 3-6 month supply of chronic medicines with prescriptions and check import rules.
Basic dental care exists, but complex work may require Guam, Hawaii, Fiji, Philippines, or home-country treatment.
Limited public and specialist mental-health resources; rely on employer EAP, teletherapy, crisis lines from insurer/home country, and local clinical referral.
Routine births occur locally, but high-risk pregnancies need careful evacuation planning and insurance approval well before the third trimester.
Expat-specific advice
- Buy insurance with evacuation before arrival
- Bring medical records and prescriptions
- Identify nearest hospital and after-hours route
- Check dengue, hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus, and routine vaccines
- Plan water safety and heat illness prevention
Pharmacies (Pharmacy)
- Paracetamol/acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Oral rehydration salts
- Antihistamines
- Basic wound care
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Typical costs
| GP visit (with insurance) | $0–30 depending on employer plan or international insurer |
| GP visit (private pay) | $30-$100+ depending on provider |
| Specialist visit | Often requires overseas travel and insurance pre-authorisation |
| Emergency visit | Variable; evacuation can exceed $50,000 without cover |
| MRI scan | Requires overseas travel to Guam, Hawaii, or Philippines; costs vary widely with destination and transport |
| Prescription average | $5-$100+ depending on stock and import |
| Dental check-up | $40-$150+ basic care where available |
| Baby delivery | Local public costs vary; high-risk or private overseas delivery can cost many thousands plus travel |
Healthcare
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