🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Limited public healthcare system. Government hospitals in Maputo provide basic care but are overcrowded. Private clinics in Maputo and some tourist areas offer better services. Rural areas and northern provinces have very limited healthcare. Portuguese is the primary language in medical settings.

Quality: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

Private clinics in Maputo provide acceptable basic care. Government hospitals are severely under-resourced. Coastal tourist areas (Vilanculos, Inhambane, Tofo) have very limited medical facilities. Northern Mozambique has almost no reliable healthcare. Serious cases require evacuation to South Africa.

💡 Medical Tourism

Mozambique is not a medical tourism destination. Patients who can afford it travel to South Africa (Johannesburg or Nelspruit) for medical care.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

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

Clínica de Sommerschield ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Maputo, Sommerschield neighborhood

📞 +258-21-493-924

One of the best private clinics in Maputo. Portuguese-speaking staff; some English available. Good for basic emergencies and general care.

Hospital Privado de Maputo ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Maputo city center

📞 +258-21-486-700

Private hospital with reasonable facilities. Emergency department. Portuguese is primary language.

Hospital Central de Maputo ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Maputo city center

📞 +258-21-325-791

Main government referral hospital. Overcrowded and basic. Use private facilities if possible.

Vilanculos District Hospital ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Vilanculos (gateway to Bazaruto Archipelago)

📞 +258-29-382-028

Basic government hospital serving the tourist area. Very limited capabilities. Serious cases evacuated to Maputo or South Africa.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: limited

Hours: Pharmacies in Maputo open 8am-7pm weekdays, reduced hours weekends. Very limited pharmacy access outside Maputo and major towns.

Prescription rules: Prescription requirements exist but enforcement is inconsistent. Some antibiotics available OTC. Carry all medications in original packaging with a doctor's note in Portuguese if possible.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol
  • ibuprofen
  • oral rehydration salts
  • antimalarials
  • antihistamines
  • basic antibiotics
  • insect repellent
  • sunscreen

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need headache medicine: Preciso de remédio para dor de cabeça (Preh-SEE-zoo deh heh-MEH-dee-oo PAH-ra dor deh kah-BEH-sa)
  • I have a stomachache: Estou com dor de estômago (Esh-TOH kom dor deh esh-TOH-mah-goo)
  • I have allergies: Tenho alergias (TEN-yoo ah-ler-ZHEE-as)
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima? (ON-deh FEE-ka ah far-MAH-see-ah mice PROH-see-ma)
  • I need a doctor: Preciso de um médico (Preh-SEE-zoo deh oom MEH-dee-koo)

💡 Tips

Bring all essential medications. Pharmacies in Maputo are reasonably stocked but selection is limited. Outside Maputo, pharmacy availability drops dramatically. Medications are labeled in Portuguese. Counterfeit medications exist — use reputable pharmacies only.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Farmácia Progresso — Green cross signage. Maputo, multiple locations
  • Farmácia Central — Central pharmacy. Maputo city center

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

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

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracetamol / Ben-u-ron
    Widely available at pharmacies
  • ibuprofen → Ibuprofeno / Brufen
    Available at pharmacies in Maputo
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Loperamida
    Bring your own supply for travel outside Maputo

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications with generic names — Portuguese translation helpful. Keep medications in original packaging. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country. Bring extra supplies of all critical medications.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • ⚠️ Narcotic medications — Carry original prescription and doctor's letter. Ideally have documentation in Portuguese.
  • ⚠️ Psychotropic medications (benzodiazepines, etc.) — Carry documentation and keep in original packaging.
  • ⚠️ Codeine-containing medications — Controlled substance. Carry prescription and doctor's letter.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Limited. Private dental clinics available in Maputo. Very limited or unavailable elsewhere.

Typical cost range: $20-80 for basic treatments

Dental care in Maputo is basic but serviceable at private clinics. Sterilization standards vary. Get dental work done before traveling.

🦷 Dental emergency?

For dental emergencies, seek a private clinic in Maputo. In beach/island destinations, you may need to travel to Maputo or evacuate to South Africa.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $40-70/week

💡 Tip

Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential. Serious cases require evacuation to Johannesburg, South Africa. Ensure coverage includes diving and water sports if visiting coastal areas. Air ambulance from remote beach destinations can cost $20,000-50,000+.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Cash or card payment usually required upfront at private facilities. Keep all receipts and medical reports. Request documentation in Portuguese and English if possible. File claims after returning home. For evacuations, contact your insurance emergency line immediately.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $25-70
  • ER visit (no admission): $60-200
  • Overnight hospital stay: $100-350
  • Ambulance call-out: $50-200

Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private facilities in Maputo. Costs in tourist areas may be higher. Government hospitals are cheaper but very basic. Medical evacuation to South Africa costs $20,000-50,000+.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation to South Africa is standard for serious conditions. From northern Mozambique, evacuation distances are considerable. Pre-arranged evacuation coverage is essential, especially for beach and island destinations.

Primary destination: Johannesburg, South Africa

Secondary destination: Nelspruit, South Africa (for southern Mozambique)

Typical cost band: $20,000-50,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS, Netcare 911 — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

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

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Cholera
  • 🟡 Rabies
  • 🟡 Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP, polio)
  • 🟡 COVID-19
  • 🟡 Malaria prophylaxis (essential for entire country)

Malaria is endemic throughout Mozambique and prophylaxis is essential — including in Maputo. Yellow fever certificate required when arriving from endemic countries. Cholera outbreaks occur, especially during rainy season (November-April).

🚰 Water & Food Safety

❌ Tap water is NOT safe — drink bottled water only

Tap water is NOT safe to drink anywhere in Mozambique. Use only bottled water with intact seals or purified water. Avoid ice in drinks except at upscale hotels and resorts. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Waterborne diseases are common.

Food Safety Tips

Exercise caution with food. Hotel restaurants and upscale establishments in tourist areas generally maintain reasonable standards. Avoid raw seafood from informal vendors despite the coastal setting. Street food carries risk. Stick to well-cooked dishes served hot. Fresh seafood at reputable restaurants is generally safe.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: No dedicated crisis line available

International crisis support: Contact your embassy for assistance

English-speaking therapists: Very limited. Some international NGO staff in Maputo may provide referrals.

Mental health services are extremely limited in Mozambique. For crisis situations, contact your embassy or travel insurance assistance line.

♿ Accessibility

Accessibility infrastructure is very limited. Most buildings and public spaces lack wheelchair access. Sandy terrain at beach destinations is challenging.

Hospital accessibility: Hospitals have minimal accessibility features. Private clinics in Maputo may have basic access.

Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Private transfers are the only option. Beach destinations often require boat transfers that may be inaccessible.

💡 Accessibility tips

Contact accommodations in advance about accessibility. Some upscale beach resorts may be able to accommodate mobility needs with advance notice.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

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

Mask policy: No mandatory mask requirements.

Testing availability: COVID testing available at private clinics in Maputo.

Healthcare capacity is very limited. Carry personal health supplies.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 119 (police), 198 (fire), 117 (ambulance/INEM)

📚 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.