Mozambique Health Insurance

The Republic of Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa, adjacent to South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. Mozambique has a total territory of 801,590 square kilometers with an approximate population of 23 million people.

Independence from Portugal was achieved in 1975 and large numbers of Portuguese nationals left the country, resulting in a skilled labor shortage and a power vacuum. Civil war broke out in 1977 which lasted until 1992 and this conflict had a devastating impact on the country, its infrastructure and the economy.

Portuguese has remained as the country’s official language and is still in use as a second language; Swahili being widely spoken by the population as the first language. With plentiful natural resources, Mozambique’s economy has excellent potential and the industry, manufacturing and tourism sectors are growing fast. The agricultural sector employs 75 percent of the country’s workforce and with 88 percent of Mozambique’s arable land still uncultivated, numerous international aid organizations are working on the ground to improve and develop infrastructure and to help the country become more self sufficient.

Mozambique Health Care and Insurance

Mozambique is an extremely poor country and despite recent advancements in the delivery of public services, its health care sector remains poor and inadequate. Approximately 5 percent of GDP is allocated to health care and considerable assistance from international organizations is required to help provide basic primary health care services. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the provision of health care, and in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) it has developed a strategy aimed at widening health care coverage, tackling communicable diseases and improving maternal and child health. Public and private health options are available throughout the country, with a majority located in or near the capital city of Maputo. Public health services are available at community health posts, clinics and hospitals while private health services can be found at its clinics and hospitals. Cash payments are required from expatriates and tourists seeking medical assistance; purchasing a Mozambique health insurance policy is therefore strongly advised.

Primary health services including general consultations and immunizations are performed by teams of health workers, nurses and physicians at health posts and clinics. These facilities, particularly those in rural areas, usually consist of a small building with limited medical equipment. Many health clinics in Mozambique experience electricity and medicine shortages, and access to clean water remains an ongoing problem. There are three main public hospitals in the country, with the Maputo Central Hospital being the largest referral facility. Services available at this hospital include general surgery, orthopedics and pediatrics.

The Chicuque Rural Hospital serves as the main health facility for those living in less populated areas and services there are quite basic. There is a general lack of medical equipment and drugs and a number of treatment services are routinely unavailable throughout the year.

The most reliable and broadest range of treatments and medical services in Mozambique are available at the country’s private healthcare facilities. There is an established network of private facilities in Mozambique, with most generally located in Maputo and other large cities. The Maputo Private hospital is the country’s top health facility and it boasts modern medical technology, adequate numbers of medical staff, comfortable surroundings and offers a wide range of secondary and tertiary services. Naturally, costs associated with treatment at this, and other private health facilities in Mozambique, are quite expensive. Given the unreliable nature of treatment at public health facilities, expatriates and tourists are advised to use private health facilities should the need arise. Investing in a Mozambique medical insurance policy is strongly encouraged.

Mozambique Travel Insurance Concerns

The inability of the government and the Ministry of Health to effectively tackle the spread of disease in Mozambique highlights the problems faced by health personnel. Poor national infrastructure, sanitation and shortages of medicines all contribute to a number of diseases and illnesses being prevalent throughout the year. HIV/AIDS is endemic and 115 adults out of 1,000 have the disease. This figure is alarmingly high in comparison to global rates and also when compared to the sub-Saharan regional average. Incidents of tuberculosis are also above the global norm and there are an estimated 75,000 new cases of the disease each year. Outbreaks of Cholera, particularly during the wet season, add further pressure on already strained public health facilities.

Mozambique’s climate is tropical and it experiences both a wet and dry season with the wet season typically being from October to March. Daily temperatures vary depending on altitude and the northern more elevated part of the country experiences cooler and more pleasant conditions. Tropical diseases are found throughout most of the country with Malaria in particular being the most prominent and deadliest disease. Other diseases spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes include Dengue and river valley fever; precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of insect bites while in the country. Expatriates and other short term visitors are advised to purchase Mozambique international health insurance and to consult with a travel health specialist at least four weeks prior to arrival in the country.

Mozambique Expat Health Insurance

Limited health care is available in Mozambique and many public health facilities struggle to provide health services to the local population. Private clinics and hospitals, such as the Maputo Private Hospital, can offer an expatriate or traveler a level of care and attention they are accustomed to. Some specialist treatments and complex surgeries require air evacuation to a facility with state of the art equipment, usually in South Africa.

It is important to ensure you are protected against all possible medical circumstances and a provision for emergency air evacuation should be included in your Mozambique international health insurance policy. Advisors at Expat Medical Insurance will help you choose the insurance plan best suited to the needs of you and your family. Our insurance plans can be tailored to include benefits and provisions such as air evacuation or repatriation. For more information on Mozambique international health insurance, global health insurance plans or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our advisors today.