The healthcare system in Wallis and Futuna is publicly funded and provides free services to all individuals present in the territory, including foreigners and expats. It is overseen by the Agence de Santé (Healthcare Agency - ADS), which is responsible for establishing healthcare policy, provision, prevention, and the delivery of prescription drugs. The system is structured around two main hospitals, one on Wallis Island and one on Futuna Island, supplemented by several dispensaries. Due to the islands' remote location and small population, the healthcare infrastructure faces unique challenges, particularly concerning specialized medical care and emergency response capabilities. For complex or severe medical conditions, medical evacuation to larger medical centers in New Caledonia, Australia, or France is a common practice.

Wallis and Futuna operates a public healthcare system where all medical and pharmaceutical services are provided free of charge. This includes consultations with general practitioners, specialist visits (when available), hospital stays, and prescription medications. The Agence de Santé (ADS) manages the two main hospitals: Sia Hospital on Wallis Island and Kaleveleve Hospital on Futuna Island. Sia Hospital is the larger facility, equipped with 42 beds, an operating theatre, an intensive care unit, obstetrics, radiography, a CT scanner, a dental unit, ultrasound, mammogram facilities, and a pharmacy. Kaleveleve Hospital in Futuna, with 9 beds, provides first aid, general consultations, dental care, maternal and child health services, radiology, gynecology, obstetrics, and accident and emergency services. There are also three dispensaries located in the districts of Mua, Hahake, and Hihifo on Wallis Island. As of February 2025, plans are underway for a new hospital in Futuna, which is expected to significantly enhance local capabilities with new equipment like scanners and mammography machines, and improved emergency services. While basic care is readily available, waiting times for non-urgent specialist appointments or advanced diagnostics might occur, and complex cases often necessitate transfer off-island.

Given that healthcare and prescription drugs are entirely free in Wallis and Futuna, there is no established private healthcare sector in the traditional sense, nor is there a 'need' for local private health insurance. All medical facilities, including the hospitals in Sia (Wallis) and Kaleveleve (Futuna), are part of the public system. Therefore, there are no recommended private hospital networks or typical consultation costs for private services within the territory. Expats seeking private care would typically need to be medically evacuated to neighboring countries like New Caledonia, Australia, or France, where private healthcare options are available. The costs for such private care abroad would depend entirely on the destination and the specific services rendered.

Foreigners and expats in Wallis and Futuna have free access to the public healthcare system, similar to local residents. There is no specific enrollment process or mandatory public insurance contribution required for access to basic medical services. As Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas collectivity, entry requirements are generally the same as for France. While there are no specific reciprocal health agreements mentioned for Wallis and Futuna, individuals from countries with agreements with France might find some benefits, though the local system's free access largely negates the immediate need for such. For long-term residents, it is advisable to consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for information on long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system, if applicable to their nationality. However, for any significant medical issues requiring specialized treatment not available locally, medical evacuation is the standard procedure.

Since healthcare in Wallis and Futuna is provided free of charge to everyone, mandatory public contributions or voluntary local private plans are not a feature of the system. The primary insurance consideration for expats should be comprehensive international health insurance that includes robust coverage for medical evacuation. This is critical because, despite free local care, the islands have limited facilities, and serious medical conditions necessitate transfer to better-equipped hospitals in New Caledonia, Australia, or France. Such international plans typically cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and the high costs associated with air ambulance services. Employer-provided plans may also offer this coverage, so expats should check with their employers. Typical monthly premiums for comprehensive international health insurance can vary widely, often ranging from €80 to €500+ per month, depending on age, coverage level, and provider. However, this is for international coverage, not local private insurance within Wallis and Futuna.

Healthcare in Wallis and Futuna is entirely free at the point of service for all individuals, including expats. This means there are no out-of-pocket costs for:

• GP visits
• Specialist consultations (when available locally)
• Hospital stays
• Prescription medications
• Dental and vision care (basic services available at hospitals/dispensaries)

However, the significant cost consideration for expats is medical evacuation. Should a serious illness or injury occur that cannot be adequately treated on the islands, the patient will need to be transported to a facility in New Caledonia, Australia, or France. The costs for such evacuations can be extremely high, potentially tens of thousands of Euros or US Dollars, and are not covered by the local free healthcare system. Therefore, comprehensive travel or international health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential to mitigate these potential expenses.

Emergency medical services in Wallis and Futuna are accessed by dialing 15 for an ambulance. Other important emergency numbers include 17 for Fire and 18 for Police. In an emergency, patients will be taken to Sia Hospital on Wallis or Kaleveleve Hospital on Futuna. These hospitals provide initial emergency care, but their capabilities are limited. For severe trauma, complex medical emergencies, or conditions requiring specialized equipment or expertise, medical evacuation to New Caledonia, Australia, or France is routinely arranged. Emergency treatment at the local hospitals is free for foreigners. However, the cost of medical evacuation is not covered by the local system and must be borne by the individual or their travel/international health insurance. Ambulance availability might be limited, especially in remote areas or during peak times, and response times can vary due to the islands' geography. It is advisable to have local contact numbers for the hospitals readily available.

The healthcare system in Wallis and Futuna provides basic medical services free of charge, but its quality and scope are significantly impacted by the territory's remoteness and small population. While the Sia Hospital on Wallis is reasonably equipped with an operating theatre, ICU, and diagnostic tools like CT scanners and mammography, the overall infrastructure is limited compared to developed nations. Futuna's Kaleveleve Hospital offers more basic services, though a new, better-equipped hospital is planned for 2025. Strengths include accessible primary care and the commitment to free services. Weaknesses primarily revolve around the lack of specialized medical personnel and advanced facilities, leading to frequent medical evacuations for serious conditions. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension, along with mental health concerns, are significant public health challenges. Compared to neighboring developed countries like New Caledonia or Australia, Wallis and Futuna's healthcare system has considerable limitations, particularly in specialized care, technology, and emergency response capabilities. Telemedicine is being utilized to connect with medical experts in France, aiming to bridge some of these gaps.