What actually happens to travelers here.
Drink bottled or properly treated water. Skip ice at budget venues and street vendors. Brush your teeth with bottled water where tap is questionable.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
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: ★☆☆☆☆ Very Limited
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.
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.
Where to actually go.
Main public hospital. French-speaking staff. Basic equipment. Can handle common ailments and minor emergencies. Serious cases require evacuation.
Provincial hospital on Anjouan. Very basic care. French and Comorian spoken.
Small hospital on Moheli. Very limited capacity. Useful for visitors to Moheli marine park area.
Finding what you need.
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.
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.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- antimalarial medications
- oral rehydration salts
- insect repellent
- antiseptic cream
- bandages
Useful pharmacy phrases
- J'ai besoin d'un médicament contre le mal de tête
- J'ai mal au ventre
- J'ai des allergies
- Où est la pharmacie la plus proche?
- J'ai besoin d'un médecin
Chains you'll see
- Pharmacie Centrale — Green cross sign (Moroni, Grande Comore)
- Pharmacie de l'Archipel — Green cross pharmacy sign (Moroni)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- 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.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter in both French and English for all medications. Keep medicines in original packaging. Bring a comprehensive travel medical kit.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: CBD · Opioids
Controlled. Carry doctor's letter in French and English.
Illegal in Comoros. Do not bring.
Controlled. Carry documentation for psychiatric medications.
If something breaks.
Availability: Extremely limited. A few dental practitioners in Moroni. No dental services on smaller islands.
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.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $30-60/week
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.
Filing a 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.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $10-30 |
| ER visit | $20-80 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $30-100 |
| Ambulance | 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.
When local won't cut it.
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
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.
What to get done before you fly.
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.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Not safe — bottled 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
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.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: 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.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
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.
Comoros is extremely challenging for travelers with mobility impairments. Infrastructure is underdeveloped across all islands. Contact accommodations in advance about specific needs.
Entry rules + local status.
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.
Comoros travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Institut Pasteur Travel Health