Comoros Health Insurance

Officially known as the Union of Comoros, it is internationally recognized as being made up of three islands, Grande Comoros, Anjouan, and Moheli. Having gained independence from France in 1975, the small archipelago located in the Indian Ocean (technically the Mozambique Channel) between Madagascar and Mozambique, it has face over 20 attempted coups on the various ruling bodies. The current government, an Islamic Democracy, is meeting limited success in improving the lives of its nearly 800,000 residents. Officially both French and Arabic are the national languages, several African dialects are also spoken.

While Comoros currently stakes claim on neighboring Mayotte as part of the Union as well, the fact is Mayotte never sought succession from France is still a French Overseas Department and slated to join the European Union in 2014. Currently living conditions for all four autonomously ruled islands are roughly similar, but Mayotte likely has a brighter future than the rest very soon, and this report will not pertain to Mayotte unless expressly stated.

With pristine white sand beaches, rugged volcanic mountains, warm azure blue seas, and a slow pace of life, it would seem that tourists should flock to the small island nation. However, due to its conservative Islamic values (98 percent profess to be Muslim) and frequent bursts of violence, by both military and civilians, the tourists have stayed away – along with their money. As a result, Comoros is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a 2010 per capita income under US$1,000. Lacking sufficient infrastructure, trade is problematic. Further, exports are of low economic value and a third of all food-stuffs are imported from neighboring countries. Annually, Comoros relies on large amounts of foreign aid and international loans to cover operating expenses and feed its people. With soaring national debt and little incentive for private foreign investment, some experts suspect that it will be insolvent in the near future.

Economic woes, coupled with poor governmental management have left Comoros with a weak educational system, no real social care programs, and very limited health care. Further, lack of any concrete plans for improvement for the future lead most to believe that the situation is not going to change any time soon.

Comoros’ Healthcare System and Insurance Concerns

Primarily due to the strict moral code held by most Muslims, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is extremely low, only about 0.1 percent of the population is affected. Other communicable diseases run rampant however. Malaria is endemic in the area, with over 100,000 cases diagnosed in the first half of 2011 alone. Other significant health risks come from plague, cholera, dengue fever, tuberculosis, typhoid, leprosy, and various parasites. Infant mortality remains high at around 6.3 percent of live births and the average life expectancy is 64 years.

Healthcare offerings are extremely limited in Comoros and anyone from a developed country seeking treatment will not find them satisfactory. The doctor to patient ratio is 15:10,000 and the hospital bed ratio is 22:10,000 residents, both are well below the internationally accepted averages and even below regional figures. The few hospitals and clinics available lack modern equipment and doctors are not well trained, some still practicing traditional remedies rather than modern medicine. Sanitation conditions are typically below accepted standards and medications are sometimes in short supply. Basic ailments can usually be treated or stabilized, but complex procedures are almost always out of the question. Most residents with the financial means will choose to travel to Madagascar or France to receive treatment requiring hospitalization. Foreigners will likely need repatriation to their home country or air transport to South Africa for treatment. No air ambulance companies exist locally in Comoros, though several do offer fly-in, fly-out services for the area.

There are three hospitals in Comoros, one on each island. El Maarouf Hospital on Grande Comores, Hombo Hospital on Anjouan, and Fomboni Hospital on Moheli, which now has an ambulance. In early 2011 China gifted Comoros with 4.65 million Euros to build a new 100-bed hospital on Anjouan, though construction has not yet begun. All of these hospitals are basic in their list of offering, and visitors and expats typically only use them in case of emergency. Conditions on neighboring Mayotte are slightly better at either the Mayotte Hospital or Dzaoudzi Hospital due to French assistance, and travel is not particularly difficult by boat or plane, but they are certainly not going to be on par with most western facilities.

Comoros Medical Insurance Information

No formalized public health insurance scheme is currently in place in Comoros, any who cannot afford to pay for their care personally, are at the mercy of the government for assistance at the public hospitals or clinics to receive free care, though it may not be given if not deemed extremely necessary. As a much cheaper alternative many turn to local “healers” who are cheap but not always safe or effective.

Anyone visiting Comoros is strongly urged to take out a comprehensive private Comoros medical insurance policy which includes coverage for emergency air evacuation. The care available locally is not sufficient to be relied upon in the case of an unexpected medical emergency, and transport to a more qualified medical facility can be greatly complicated when funds are not in place to ensure that all service providers will be paid.

Comoros Travel Insurance Information

Brief yet sharp outbursts of violence frequently occur on all three islands, usually as a result of dissatisfaction with the government, particularly around election times. Visitors should avoid areas around protests or parades. Transportation in and around Comoros is basic at best and often unreliable and water transport should always be avoided after dark as shoals are often quite shallow and boats can easily run aground. Weather is tropical and perennially warm, so light clothing is recommended, though women should avoid anything that could be construed as immodest since this is highly offensive to most locals.

About 95 percent of the population has access to improved water sources, though corruption and contamination of the pipe network means that all should drink only bottled water whenever possible to avoid risk of heavy-metal poisoning. Sanitation levels are not as high, with only about 36 percent of homes connected to any type of sanitary sewer system. All visitors should therefore practice diligent personal hygiene and wash their hands regularly to avoid fecal-sourced disease. Because gastrointestinal diseases are common due to poor food safety practices, it is advised that expats and tourists avoid raw foods and dairy, and only eat fruit they peel themselves, meals should be eaten hot.

Most visitors will suffer with traveler's diarrhea. Medication should be brought from home as it is not always readily available when needed. Prescription drugs should also be brought in their original containers along with doctor's prescription for the entire extent of stay.

No immunizations are required for entry into Comoros, however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all consider vaccination against all routine diseases as well as hepatitis A and B, malaria, and typhoid. Travelers who may come in contact with wild mammals should consider vaccination for rabies also. Malaria is endemic and the local strain is extremely resistant to some medications, fortunately mefloquine and doxycycline are still found to be effective.

Comoros Expat Medical Insurance

Comoros is a beautiful yet sadly under-developed country, and as a result all traveling there must consider the potential dangers involved. Expat Medical Insurance offers Comoros Health Insurance policies as well as International Medical Insurance plans that will provide you and your family with the peace of mind you demand when traveling to an unknown location. Contacting one of our Insurance Consultants is free, and it's the first step to finding the right coverage to fit your specific needs, whether your destination is Comoros or any other location around the globe.