The National Health System (Sistema Nacional de Salud) comprises the state, social-insurance, and private healthcare channels in Honduras. SESAL establishes state health programs, standards, and quality requirements and supervises the public health sector. The IHSS provides a separate healthcare channel for insured people; access depends on the person’s affiliation. Private medical practices and facilities complement these services. For examinations, diagnostics, treatment, obstetric care, medicines, and mental healthcare, the initial services are generally provided by Comprehensive Health Centers, Family Health Units, and municipal and rural first-level facilities. When specialized care is needed, the responsible health service routes the case through the Integrated Health Services Network (Red Integrada de Servicios de Salud) to a regional, general, or specialized hospital. Appointments, opening hours, available medicines, laboratory services, and admission capacity nevertheless vary by facility and region. There is no uniform nationwide guarantee of appointments or capacity. In remote areas, distance, transportation, and fewer resources can make access more difficult. Telemedicine is being expanded locally, including in El Paraíso. The state vaccination program (PAI) and the National Vaccination Schedule (Esquema Nacional de Vacunación) provide public vaccinations free of charge. The digital vaccination-status portal (SNV) supports proof of vaccination status. In 2026, the hexavalent vaccine is offered to children from two months of age, with doses at two, four, and six months. SESAL lists 24 vaccines against 27 diseases at more than 1,800 public and IHSS locations; the specific offering depends on age, risk group, and pregnancy. The Vaccines Act (Ley de Vacunas) provides for free and equal vaccinations without discrimination as well as specified mandatory immunizations; contraindications and exceptions must be assessed case by case. In an acute life-threatening emergency, 911 is the national emergency number. The service is free and available around the clock from an activated landline or mobile phone, even without credit. The pre-hospital response services (SNE-911 and UREM) support the pre-hospital response, although medical coverage varies by region. After discharge or referral, follow-up care may be provided by Comprehensive Health Centers, Family Health Units, hospitals, Integrated Care Services (Servicios de Atención Integral (SAI)), or mental-health services. Vaccination cards, medical records, and specific instructions from the treating facility should be kept because continuity of care, rehabilitation, and medicine availability vary by region and facility. The Constitution of Honduras protects the right to health; at the same time, promoting and maintaining individual and community health is considered a general duty. Prices, insurance coverage, copayments, and eligibility for IHSS services depend on the healthcare channel and the specific service.
Health in Honduras
The Honduran healthcare system combines state-provided care under the leadership of the Secretariat of Health (Secretaría de Salud (SESAL)), social-insurance care provided by the Honduran Social Security Institute (Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social (IHSS)), and private providers. Treatment usually begins at a Comprehensive Health Center (Centro Integral de Salud (CIS)) or another first-level facility and, when needed, proceeds to a hospital through a referral. In an acute life-threatening emergency, the national emergency number 911 provides free, round-the-clock assistance.
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