Guinea
Facilities:
Medical
General Information for Guinea
Geo-political:
Capital City: Conakry.
Nationality: (noun) Guinean, (adjective) Guinean.
Population: 10,057,975.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 224.
Number of Internal Airports: 5.
Major Languages Spoken: French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Guinea Franc (GNF) of 100 Centimes.
Exchange Rates:
(as of November 2014)
USD 1.00 = GNF 7,000.00
Exchange rates under licence from
XE.com
Main Industries: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron, alumina refining, light manufacturing and agricultural
processing.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 320 km.
Climate: Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly
winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds.
Natural Resources: Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish and salt.
Natural Hazards: Hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season.
Terrain: Generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior.
MEDICAL:
Medical facilities are poor. Equipment is basic and often not sterile. There are minimal
facilities for dealing with heart problems and major trauma. For serious medical treatment,
medical evacuation to Europe is necessary. There are some well-stocked pharmacies
in Conakry but few outside the capital. Make sure you have adequate supplies of prescription
medication, bearing in mind the risk of delays due to flight cancellations. Make sure
you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical
treatment abroad and repatriation.
There are no central contact numbers for hospitals in Guinea. Only private clinics
can be contacted by telephone. In Conakry, Clinique Pasteur can be reached on T: +224 621 350101. or T: +224 664 269853.
Malaria is common and can be fatal. You should seek immediate medical assistance if
you think you may have malaria.
Waterborne diseases like cholera are present. Cases of cholera have recently been
reported in the Mamou region.
Ebola:
On 19 June 2021 the Ministry of Health declared an end to the Ebola epidemic that
had started in the Gouecke sub-district of the N’zerekore region in February. The
previous Ebola epidemic ended in June 2016.
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE:
The local police number for downtown Conakry is T: +224 622 039258.
PIRACY:
There have been reports of attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Guinean
territorial waters; ICC IMB data indicates there were three attempted/actual attacks
in 2021, and none reported in the period January-September 2022.
IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:
IMB PRC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 24/7 Helpline T: +60 (3) 2031 0014. Fax: +60 (3) 2078 5769.
[email protected]
Situation Report (SITREP):
IMB PRC Malaysia broadcasts SITREP reports to vessels at 0000 GMT and warnings via
Inmarsat C (Satellite) EGC Safety Net; however, vessels in some parts of the world
that are not considered at risk from piracy, will not receive these messages.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); Easter Monday; 1 May (Labour Day); 25 May (OUA Day); 15
August (Assumption Day); 2 October (Independence Day); 25 December (Christmas Day),
Mouloud, Qadr Night, Korite, Tabaski.
CONNECTIONS:
Road travel is hazardous especially during the rainy season from May to October. Torrential
rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties
when travelling to affected areas during this season. Avoid travel outside cities
after dark.
Taxis and long-distance buses are poorly maintained, and the drivers often unqualified.
Few motorists have any form of insurance. Most major hotels and travel agencies offer
cars for hire, with a chauffeur if required.
The standard of road maintenance is low. Beware of deep potholes. Many roads are not
metalled and are not repaired after the rainy season. Roads within Conakry and other
principal towns can quickly become flooded and impassable.
Police and local militia maintain checkpoints across the country. Vehicles and passengers
are submitted to checks on documentation and baggage. Corruption and extortion are
common at roadblocks. Occasionally, checkpoints can be a pretext for armed robbery.
Travellers are advised to exercise caution and be prepared for disruption and potential
short notice closure of the Guinea-Sierra Leone border.
Flights in Guinea are frequently delayed or cancelled. If you plan to arrive in Conakry
on a flight after dark, you should arrange your airport transfer before you travel.
Corruption at the airport by officials is common.
BANKS:
Credit cards are not widely used. ATM facilities accept foreign cards, but should
not be relied on as a means of getting money. International credit cards may be used
to draw cash over the counter. Outside Conakry banking can be difficult.
Exchanging foreign currency on the street or using unofficial money changers is illegal.
Those using money changers, even for small amounts, including at the international
airport, have been arrested and detained in military custody. Obtaining hard currency
in Guinea is very difficult.
SHORE LEAVE:
Theft at gunpoint is increasingly common throughout Guinea, especially at night. Violent
muggings can occur even in broad daylight for cash and other valuables such as mobile
telephones. Incidents of violent car-jackings are also increasing, especially in the
outlying suburbs of Conakry like Kipe. These crimes are often carried out by individuals
dressed in police or military uniforms and carrying military weapons. There have been
reports of police extorting cash from foreigners and Guineans.
Photography and filming in many parts of the country is forbidden or subject to strict
rules which are enforced rigidly. It is forbidden to photograph or film anything of
strategic value e.g. bridges. Do not photograph military or police installations or
government buildings. Individuals may prefer not to be photographed. If in doubt,
seek permission or do not take pictures.
A coup took place in Guinea on 5 September 2021 and an interim government is in place.
The situation is evolving, and you should remain vigilant avoid demonstrations, and
monitor local media.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
Foreigners and Guinean nationals are required to show identification if asked by the
police or other law enforcement agencies. You are allowed to carry photocopies of
the relevant pages of your passport, provided they are certified by the Guinean police.
Keep the original in a safe place.
