Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Cabo Verde: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating Palliative Care and Medical Follow-Up

   • Central hospitals and integrated care network: In Cabo Verde, specialized management of advanced oncological or chronic conditions and symptom and pain control are provided through the central hospitals (Hospital Dr. Agostinho Neto in Praia and Hospital Dr. Baptista de Sousa in Mindelo) and regional health facilities supervised by the Ministry of Health [1].
   • Home support and medical evacuation: The clinical team of the Ministry of Health coordinates ongoing care with municipal health delegations and, where specialized treatment requires transfer, activates inter-island or international medical evacuation procedures co-financed by the National Institute of Social Security [1] [2].
   • Medication co-payment and accompanying family member allowance: Insured beneficiaries under the general scheme receive pharmaceutical coverage and, in cases of authorized medical transfer, a travel and daily allowance for an accompanying family caregiver through the National Institute of Social Security [2].
2. 2

   Advance Medical Preferences, Informed Consent, and Healthcare Proxy

   • Informed consent and patient rights: Under health legislation and medical ethics rules supervised by the Ministry of Health, every capable patient has the right to receive clear information regarding their diagnosis and treatment options and to accept or refuse clinical interventions [1].
   • Written statement of clinical preferences: While your family member retains full decision-making capacity, it is advisable to draft and sign a written statement of clinical wishes regarding disproportionate invasive procedures, priority pain management, and preferred place of care, requesting that it be filed in the hospital medical record of the Ministry of Health [1].
   • Designating a trusted family spokesperson: The patient may formally identify a trusted family representative before the hospital medical team to receive clinical updates and convey the patient's wishes if they later become unable to communicate directly [1].
3. 3

   Executing Notarial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates

   • Public power of attorney while civil capacity is intact: To prevent delays in property or financial administration, the patient should execute a public power of attorney (procuração pública) at a Notary Office within the registry and notary network linked to Porton di Nos Ilha while retaining full mental and legal capacity [3].
   • Bedside notary attendance at hospital or home: If your family member's physical condition prevents travel to a notary office, the family may request an external attendance by the notary at the hospital or home to verify legal capacity in person and execute the public instrument [3].
   • Specific banking mandates: Banks operating in Cabo Verde generally require that a public power of attorney explicitly state banking and account operation powers, or that the account holder sign the bank's internal mandate form while able to do so [3].
4. 4

   Sickness and Disability Benefits and Caregiver Support

   • Sickness allowance and disability pension under the INPS: Insured workers under the general scheme who become temporarily unable to work are entitled to sickness allowance (subsídio de doença) upon presentation of a Temporary Incapacity Certificate, and, where permanent incapacity is certified by the Incapacity Verification Commission (CVI), to a disability pension administered by the National Institute of Social Security [2].
   • Social Disability Pension (non-contributory scheme): For economically vulnerable residents not covered by a contributory scheme who experience permanent incapacity, the National Center for Social Pensions administers the non-contributory social disability pension under the social inclusion program [4].
   • Civil service protection and family caregiver leave: Where the patient is a civil servant, sickness protection and disability retirement rules administered by the National Directorate of Public Administration under the Ministry of Finance apply, and employed family caregivers can obtain hospital attendance certificates to justify family care absences with their employer [1] [5].
5. 5

   Advance Will Preparation and Civil and Property Documentation

   • Public or sealed will before a Notary Office: Under the Cabo Verdean Civil Code (respecting the statutory forced share, or legítima, reserved for compulsory heirs: spouse, descendants, and ascendants), the patient may execute a public will (testamento público) or have a sealed will (testamento cerrado) approved before a Notary Office in the presence of two qualified witnesses [3].
   • Verifying civil and land registry records: It is advisable to confirm that the patient's National Identification Card (CNI) and birth and marriage certificates are up to date through Porton di Nos Ilha, and that real estate titles are properly registered with the Land Registry [3].
   • Cross-border coordination and Hague Apostille: If bank accounts, life insurance policies, or family members are located in the diaspora, families should compile an asset inventory and obtain a Hague Apostille on powers of attorney or civil documents issued in Cabo Verde to ensure immediate legal recognition abroad [3] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Official Health Portal, Hospital Network, and Continuing Care — Ministério da Saúde de Cabo Verde
2. [2]
   Sickness Allowance, Disability Pension, and Medical Evacuation — Instituto Nacional de Previdência Social (INPS)
3. [3]
   Civil Registry, Identification, and Notary Services — Porton di Nos Ilha (Governo de Cabo Verde)
4. [4]
   Social Inclusion Program: Social Disability Pension — Centro Nacional de Pensões Sociais (CNPS)
5. [5]
   Public Administration Social Protection Framework — Ministério das Finanças (Direção Nacional da Administração Pública - DNAP)