Kiribati - Health

Health Services:

The Tunbgaru Central Hospital (TCH) is open 24 hours. Located in Tungaru (south Tarawa) 01°21.771N / 172°08.335E. The Director of Health Services is Dr. Tekeua Uraim -  dr_kabtun@yahoo.com.au. Contact:  +686.731.40050 or +686.740.28100. TCH has 120 beds and is Japanese funded.  They offer emergency care, general medical, surgical, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, mental health, laboratory, medical imaging, pharmacy and physiotherapy services.  In addition, there is a dentist at the hospital who works on a "first come first serve" basis. The Temakin Clinic is located in Betio. Aneieta Pharmacy and Medical Clinic is located in Bairiki. Betio Hospital has completed phase one of construction. Contact:  +686.751.26254

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:

Hepatitis is prevalent. Typhoid vaccinations are also recommended by the CDC.

Food and Water Concerns:

Drinking water should be boiled or treated.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a foodborne illness caused by consuming fish contaminated with ciguatoxins, which are produced by dinoflagellates that live on coral reefs. Kiribati has a high incidence of Ciguatera so avoid eating local shellfish or lagoon fish as they are often contaminated with Ciguatera.

Carolyn Shearlock from The Boat Gallery has written a cautionary article to raise awareness about Ciguatera after speaking with many cruisers who were not aware that eating reef fish can make you sick.

• INSIGHTS:  Eating Reef Fish and the Risks of Ciguatera Poisoning

Mosquito-borne Diseases:

Dengue fever and Chikungunya are present in Kiribati.

Animals:

There have been reports of visitors being bitten by stray dogs. Be vigilant, particularly on the beach. If you are approached by a dog, do not run. Reaching down as if to pick up something off the ground can be enough to scare dogs away. If you are bitten seek medical attention immediately. Last updated:  May 2025