Seychelles

Seychelles is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar and about 1600 kilometers (994 miles) off the eastern coast of Africa. The republic consists of 158 islands with a total land area of 455 kilometers (283 miles). Long a disputed territory between the French and the British, Seychelles became an independent country in 1976 and had made significant strides in raising its small population above subsistence levels. The economy, based on tuna fishing and tourism, is subject to wide fluctuations, making sustained growth difficult.

The Ministry of Health touts Seychelles as the safest African country, with no malaria, yellow fever, or other tropical diseases. All residents have clean water and sanitation. All but 1 percent of children are fully immunized. There is almost no measurable population of HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis. Epidemiological threats are monitored and dealt with. The biggest communicable health risk in recent years has been the arrival of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that causes fever, flu-like aches and pains, nausea and vomiting, but is not fatal. About 2,000 cases were reported in 2005–06.

Like most middle-income nations, the biggest threat to the health of Seychellois are lifestyle diseases. Heart disease, diabetes and strokes are responsible for 35 percent of island deaths. Another 18 percent die of cancer. About 30.8 percent of Seychellois men use tobacco daily and about 35.2 percent of women are overweight or obese.

Child mortality is low. A quarter of deaths in children aged 5–15 are the result of traffic accident, and 50 percent are due to accidents within the home, including choking and accidental poisionings. For adolescents and young adults, aged 15–24, traffic accidents account for almost 21 percent of deaths, 11 percent from drowning, and 16 percent from suicide. Obesity and drug use is increasing in the adolescent population, and is the cause of great concern to health professionals.

Seychelles has six hospitals, with a total of 413 beds. There are also 17 health centers, seven private clinics, and five dental clinics. There are 1.51 physicians and 7.93 nurses per 1,000 Seychellois. Per capita government expenditure on healthcare is $402.50.

Some 18 percent of Seychelles citizens die of cancer. About 30.8 percent of Seychellois men use tobacco daily.