🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Very limited public healthcare system. El-Maarouf Hospital in Moroni is the main facility. Smaller health centres on other islands. Healthcare infrastructure is severely underdeveloped. French-trained doctors but limited equipment and supplies. Serious cases require evacuation.

Quality: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Healthcare is very basic and unreliable. El-Maarouf Hospital is the best facility but lacks modern equipment and consistent supplies. Smaller islands (Anjouan, Moheli) have even more limited facilities. Frequent medication shortages. French is the primary language in medical settings. For serious conditions, evacuation to Reunion, Madagascar, or Nairobi is necessary.

💡 Medical Tourism

Not a medical tourism destination. Comoros is visited for its volcanic landscapes, marine biodiversity (including coelacanths), and spice plantations. Travelers should be self-sufficient for medical needs.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

El-Maarouf Hospital ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Moroni (capital, Grande Comore)

📞 +269 773 2145

Main public hospital. French-speaking staff. Basic equipment. Can handle common ailments and minor emergencies. Serious cases require evacuation.

Hombo Hospital ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Mutsamudu (Anjouan island)

📞 +269 771 0078

Provincial hospital on Anjouan. Very basic care. French and Comorian spoken.

Fomboni Hospital ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Fomboni (Moheli island)

📞 +269 772 0303

Small hospital on Moheli. Very limited capacity. Useful for visitors to Moheli marine park area.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: limited

Hours: Pharmacies in Moroni open 8am-12pm and 2pm-6pm weekdays. Very limited options outside the capital. Stock is unreliable.

Prescription rules: Prescription enforcement is inconsistent. Some medications available without prescription. Stock availability is the main limiting factor. Bring all needed medications from home.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol
  • ibuprofen
  • antimalarial medications
  • oral rehydration salts
  • insect repellent
  • antiseptic cream
  • bandages

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need headache medicine: J'ai besoin d'un médicament contre le mal de tête
  • I have a stomachache: J'ai mal au ventre
  • I have allergies: J'ai des allergies
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Où est la pharmacie la plus proche?
  • I need a doctor: J'ai besoin d'un médecin

💡 Tips

Bring all necessary medications from home. Pharmacy stock is unpredictable and medications may be expired or counterfeit. Only buy from licensed pharmacies (pharmacies with green cross sign). French language skills are very helpful. Insect repellent with DEET is essential for malaria prevention.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Pharmacie Centrale — Green cross sign. Moroni, Grande Comore
  • Pharmacie de l'Archipel — Green cross pharmacy sign. Moroni

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Doliprane / Paracétamol
    French brand names used. Most commonly available medication.
  • ibuprofen → Advil / Ibuprofène
    May not always be in stock. Bring from home.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Lopéramide
    May not be available. Bring from home.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter in both French and English for all medications. Keep medicines in original packaging. Bring a comprehensive travel medical kit.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • ⚠️ Opioid medications — Controlled. Carry doctor's letter in French and English.
  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Illegal in Comoros. Do not bring.
  • ⚠️ Psychotropic substances — Controlled. Carry documentation for psychiatric medications.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Extremely limited. A few dental practitioners in Moroni. No dental services on smaller islands.

Typical cost range: $15-60 USD for basic procedures

Dental care is very basic. Only emergency procedures available. Equipment may not meet international standards. French-speaking dentists.

🦷 Dental emergency?

Ask at El-Maarouf Hospital for a dental referral in Moroni. On other islands, evacuation may be needed for dental emergencies.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $30-60/week

💡 Tip

Essential with comprehensive medical evacuation coverage. Evacuation to Reunion, Madagascar, or Kenya may be needed for serious conditions. Verify your insurer covers Comoros specifically as it is a remote destination. Diving coverage important for visitors to Moheli marine park.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Pay upfront for all medical care. Documentation may be in French. Request itemized receipts. Facilities may have difficulty providing detailed records. Keep all documentation and file claims after returning home. Consider having documents translated if needed.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $10-30
  • ER visit (no admission): $20-80
  • Overnight hospital stay: $30-100
  • Ambulance call-out: Limited service, minimal cost

Costs are low but care is very basic. Comorian Franc (KMF) is local currency. Cash is essential as credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation is essential for any serious condition. Reunion is the closest destination with French-standard healthcare. Air evacuation can be arranged from Moroni airport. Inter-island evacuations add complexity.

Primary destination: Reunion (French territory with excellent healthcare)

Secondary destination: Nairobi, Kenya or Antananarivo, Madagascar

Typical cost band: $20,000-80,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Yellow Fever (only if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Malaria prophylaxis (strongly recommended)
  • 🟡 Cholera (for extended stays)
  • 🟡 Rabies (for extended stays or animal contact)

Malaria is endemic on all islands. Antimalarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult a travel medicine specialist before departure. Dengue and chikungunya also present.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

❌ Tap water is NOT safe — drink bottled water only

Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Comoros. Always use bottled, boiled, or purified water. Water infrastructure is poor throughout the islands. Bring water purification tablets for travel outside Moroni. Avoid ice unless confirmed to be made from purified water.

Food Safety Tips

Exercise caution with food. Eat freshly cooked, hot meals. Avoid raw vegetables and salads unless washed with purified water. Peel fruits yourself. Fresh grilled fish and rice are staples. Langouste (lobster) is a local specialty. Street food should be eaten with caution. Vanilla and ylang-ylang flavor many local dishes.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: No crisis hotline available

International crisis support: Contact your embassy for assistance

English-speaking therapists: None available. French-speaking counselors are very rare.

Mental health services are virtually nonexistent. Significant cultural stigma surrounds mental health. El-Maarouf Hospital may provide basic psychiatric care. For any serious mental health needs, evacuation is recommended.

♿ Accessibility

No accessibility infrastructure exists. Roads are rough and often unpaved. Buildings lack wheelchair access. The volcanic terrain is challenging.

Hospital accessibility: El-Maarouf Hospital has minimal accessibility features. Other facilities are not accessible.

Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Roads are in poor condition. Inter-island travel is by small aircraft or boat, neither accessible. Taxis are the main transport option.

💡 Accessibility tips

Comoros is extremely challenging for travelers with mobility impairments. Infrastructure is underdeveloped across all islands. Contact accommodations in advance about specific needs.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No mask mandates.

Testing availability: Very limited COVID testing available at El-Maarouf Hospital.

Comoros has returned to normal operations. Health infrastructure remains limited regardless.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 17 (police), 18 (fire), 773 21 45 (hospital in Moroni)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.