The Human Rights Measurement Initiative[1] finds that São Tomé and Príncipe is fulfilling 80.4% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income.[2] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, São Tomé and Príncipe achieves 96.0% of what is expected based on its current income.[2] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 91.5% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.[2] São Tomé and Príncipe falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling only 53.8% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.[2]
There was a resurgence of malaria in São Tomé and Príncipe in 2010, but the exact cause is unknown.[3] Female life expectancy at birth was 65.1 years in between 2005 and 2010, and male life expectancy at 62.8 for the same time period.[4] Healthy life expectancy at birth was at 64.7 years in 2011.[5]
According to WHO, São Tomé and Príncipe is also home to the largest documented amount of iron-deficiency anemia amongst any country's population.[6]
Healthcare
A Cuban medical team of ten doctors, nurses and other health workers is working on the main island, with occasional visits to Príncipe.[7]
In 2019, there were 50 medical facilities in São Tomé and Principe, including six Centro de Saúde, 29 Posto de Saúde, 13 Postos de Saúde Comunitária, and two hospitals.[9]