Mozambique Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Mozambique — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Mozambique has extremely limited healthcare outside Maputo. Hospital Central de Maputo is the main public facility. Private clinics like Clínica de Sommerschield offer better care for foreigners. Northern provinces (Cabo Delgado — insurgency zone) and rural areas have minimal medical infrastructure. Malaria is the leading cause of death. Cholera outbreaks occur. Medical evacuation to Johannesburg is standard for serious cases.
System type: Public system severely under-resourced. Limited private clinics in Maputo.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 112 or 117 (fire) or 119 (ambulance)
Typical response time: 30-60+ minutes in Maputo; unavailable in most rural areas
Costs: Public nominal; private $50-500+ USD
Ambulance service very limited. Private vehicle transport is standard.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private clinics in Maputo; public hospitals accept walk-ins
Typical wait: Same day at private; 3-8 hours at public
Typical cost: $30-100 USD at private clinics
Maputo has reasonable private options; Beira and Nampula have basic hospitals
Vaccines for travel
Required: Yellow fever if arriving from endemic country
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Malaria prophylaxis (ESSENTIAL), Cholera, Meningococcal
Malaria endemic throughout — prophylaxis ESSENTIAL. Cholera outbreaks common in rainy season. HIV prevalence high.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
Documents to prepare:
- Travel insurance with evacuation cover (ESSENTIAL)
- Passport
- Visa
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: $30-100 USD
Emergency care without insurance: $200-3,000+ USD
Medication: Pharmacies in Maputo stock basics. Bring all personal medications. Anti-malarials essential.
Things that catch visitors out in Mozambique
- Portuguese is essential — almost no English in medical settings
- Cabo Delgado province has active insurgency — avoid travel
- Payment upfront at private clinics
- Road conditions make overland medical transfers very difficult
Practical tips for travellers
- Clínica de Sommerschield (Maputo) — best private clinic for foreigners
- Medical evacuation insurance ESSENTIAL — Johannesburg is 1.5hr flight
- Carry anti-malarials and comprehensive medical kit
- Portuguese phrasebook or translation app critical for medical visits
- Avoid travel to Cabo Delgado province
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