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Mali Expat Health Insurance

A landlocked nation in northwestern Africa of about 1.24 million square kilometers, Mali is wedged between Mauritania and Niger and just below Algeria, about 400 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. This location is renowned for its hot arid climate and most of Mali is no different. Soaring temperatures in the summer months parch the vast savanna, and a rainy season from June to October floods the Niger River plains. Most of Mali's population of about 12.7 million make a meager living in subsistence farming or working in gold mines. The frequency of floods and droughts in the region reek havoc on the economy and Mali was listed in 2010 as one of the 25 poorest countries in the world.

Mali Healthcare and Medical Insurance

With only about eight percent of the population having access to sanitary sewer and only about 60 percent having access to running drinking water, hygiene, healthcare and proper nutrition are foreign ideas to most Malians. Mali's under-five mortality rate is nearly two percent and the maternal mortality rate is almost one percent. This is due in large part to the scarcity of medical facilities within the country. It is estimated that only about 36 percent of the population lives within five kilometers (considered normal walking distance) of any form of health care. The doctor to population ratio is a staggering 1:12,500 persons.

Mali's government guarantees the right to all for medical treatment. It does not however provide it free of charge. Malian health insurance is available domestically through a program called Association de Santé Communautaire, which is essentially a buy-in program to offset some of the cost of medical treatment and prescriptions, but due to the extreme poverty that most Malians live in, this too is out of reach. The result is that most persons seeking treatment will pay full price for all procedures they wish to receive. As of 2010 there were three primary care hospitals open in Mali, all in the capital city Bamako, thankfully they are all open to the public. Additionally, seven regional hospitals are scattered throughout the country. These facilities offer some advanced procedures, but are often stymied by the lack of availability to a regular supply of medicines, overcrowding, and poor training of healthcare staff. While they are able to handle most normal emergencies, travelers should be aware that the level of care and quality of treatment will likely not be comparable to western standards.

Mali, along with most nations in Sub-Saharan and Central Africa, annually receives large monetary donations from charitable assistance organizations as well foreign aide from wealthier nations around the globe and direction, guidance, and monitoring from groups such as the World Health Organization. These efforts, according to some critics have made the government lazy in implementation of better health care practices and appropriation of funds, instead adopting a 'someone will do it for us' attitude. Examples include outsiders urgings creating a program for public health insurance in Mali and better decentralization of health care so that it is more easily accessible to those in rural areas, and a more efficient buying and logistics program for pharmaceuticals. To date, little has been done. Despite the slow progress, foreign agencies will continue to help. China is currently assisting the Malian government in construction of a fourth hospital in Bamako, the “Hôpital du Mali”, which it claims will be the most modern and advanced in the country when completed. The results of other groups' efforts include organizing child immunization programs and safe sex initiatives that have brought the standard of health up somewhat, but there is still a considerable distance to cover before the health care system is considered adequate.

Communicable diseases tend to run rampant in Mali and mosquito borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are common. Additionally, tuberculosis, meningitis, cholera, and hepatitis are widespread.

On the up side, compared to other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Mali's HIV/AIDS infection rate of “only” 1.5 percent is quite good. This statistic is partly due to the population of Mali being 90 percent Muslim, known for strict sexual morality standards, and cannot entirely be considered a triumph of medicine and education over disease.

Mali Traveler Advice

All individuals considering travel to Mali should be certain that they receive all necessary vaccinations. Additionally, a visa for entry is required for anyone entering except citizens of Algeria, Andorra, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, and Tunisia. Travelers should not drink any water that has not been bottled with a seal or has been sterilized chemically or through boiling. Avoid ice in all beverages. Traveler's diarrhea is very common. Due to poor sanitation, very regular hand washing is necessary and it is best to always sleep within a mosquito net. Temperatures are often very hot, so sun-appropriate clothing is recommended to avoid sunburn and heatstroke. All necessary prescription medications should be brought with you in their original containers as they are not commonly available and the government is very suspicious of anyone with drugs that may appear to be illegal. For all travelers to Mali, expat health insurance or traveler's medical coverage should be purchased in advance so as to avoid any problems in the case of an emergency.

Travel within Mali is neither easy, nor necessarily safe. Mali's roadway system is one of the worst in west Africa, adding to the problem are the corrupt military and regional police forces who put up roadblocks to extort bribes for passage. Organized crime rings are common in the Mali and surrounding countries. Western travelers are especially advised to use extreme caution as they are easy targets for mugging, always avoid displaying expensive items, jewelry, or clothing. Armed robbery and carjacking are also frequent, as the black market for stolen goods is booming. Most alarmingly however is the recent trend toward kidnapping. Eleven confirmed cases of kidnapping of westerners have taken place in Mali or along is borders since December 2008 along with the bombing of the French Embassy and other violence. In many cases, responsibility for the violence was claimed by Muslim extremist groups operating in the area.

Mali Expat Health Insurance

All travel carries the risk of accident or illness, this risk is greatly reduced through proper preparation however. One important way to limit your exposure is to ensure that if the unforeseen arises, your life and health will be taken care of. No matter what your plans for travel may be, Global Health Insurance has Malian Expat Health Insurance coverage to protect you, your family, your travel group or organization. Regardless of length of stay, destinations, or budget, the Insurance Experts at Global Health Insurance will, free of charge, help you find the right coverage for your travel or relocation plans to Mali. Expat health insurance can provide the coverage you need in case of serious medical emergencies, ensuring access and emergency transportation and evacuation when necessary.