Sao Tome and Principe Health Information
Reported, December 12, 2011
The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, situated in the equatorial Atlantic and Gulf of Guinea about 300 and 250 kilometres (190 and 160 mi), respectively, off the northwest coast of Gabon, constitute Africa’s second smallest country. Both are part of the Cameroon volcanic mountain line, which also includes the islands of Annobón to the southwest, Bioko to the northeast (both part of Equatorial Guinea), and Mount Cameroon on the coast of Gulf of Guinea. Pico de São Tomé
São Tomé is 50 km (30 mi) long and 30 km (20 mi) wide and the more mountainous of the two islands. Its peaks reach 2,024 m (6,640 ft) – Pico de São Tomé. Príncipe is about 30 km (20 mi) long and 6 km (4 mi) wide. Its peaks reach 948 m (3,110 ft) – Pico de Príncipe. Swift streams radiating down the mountains through lush forest and cropland to the sea cross both islands. Both islands at a distance of 150 km (90 mi). The equator lies immediately south of São Tomé Island, passing through an islet Ilhéu das Rolas.
Malaria is present in the country.
Female life expectancy at birth was at 67.3 years in 2007 and male life expectancy at 63.5.
Healthy life expectancy at birth was at 54 years in 2007.
A Cuban medical team of seven doctors, nurses and other health workers is working on the main island, with occasionally visits to Principe
Government health expenditure was at US $120 (PPP) per capita in 2006.