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Mozambique Expat Health Insurance

The Republic of Mozambique in southeastern Africa achieved independence from Portugal in 1975. Portuguese remains the official language of Mozambique and is widely spoken as a second language. Swahili, Makhuwa and Sena are the most widely spoken local languages. Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world and is still recovering from a decades-long civil war which concluded in 1992. However, its vast natural resources and mineral wealth give it massive economic potential. Geographically, Mozambique is divided by the Zambezi river; to the north are hills, plateaus and rugged highlands, and south of the river are lowland plains. Lying close to the equator, Mozambique has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. Temperature varies with altitude. Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the country, with attractive beach, cultural and eco-tourism destinations.

Mozambique Healthcare System

Due to its extreme poverty, life expectancy in Mozambique is low – 47 years for males, and 51 years for females. Mozambique’s total per capita annual expenditure per capita is just US$ 50, which is low even by the standards of poverty stricken sub Saharan Africa. This figure represents 5.7 percent of GDP. Government expenditure makes up nearly three fourths of total health care spending in the country. Among private health care spending, local private insurance makes up just 1.5 percent of expenditure. Mozambique is heavily dependent on overseas aid, charities and NGOs for the provision of health care.

Mozambique’s health care workforce is seriously understaffed, even by the poor standards of the region. There are 0.3 doctors and 3.1 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, distributed unevenly around the country. Its health care facilities often lack basics such as running water, electricity and communications technology.

Communicable diseases have had the greatest effect on Mozambican morbidity and mortality. Rates of infectious disease are alarming. 115 of every 1,000 adults is infected with HIV; this is more than double the already high regional average. For comparison’s sake, the global average is 8 per 1,000 adults. Tuberculosis affects 323 per 100,000 Mozambicans; while this is below the regional average, it is still more than 50 percent higher than the global norm. The WHO Global Alert and Response team has issued a number of warnings on cholera outbreaks in the region over the past decade. Due to the tropical environment, malaria is one of the main health risks in Mozambique. There is unknown incidence of several neglected tropical diseases, particularly among children, and some parts of Mozambique still struggle with leprosy.

Although non-communicable diseases have less relative impact on Mozambican mortality, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are increasingly a concern. These are increasingly attributed to alcohol abuse and smoking.

Mozambican antenatal, birth and infant care are very limited. The maternal mortality rate is more than twice the global average. Only about 55 percent of Mozambican births are attended by a skilled health care professional. Fortunately, infant immunisation rates have increased, thanks to partnerships with various aid organisations. But infant mortality rates (up to age 5) are more than double the global average. Childhood malnutrition is rampant. Access to obstetric care is marked by gross inequalities as the figures for poor rural Mozambicans are much lower than these.

As mentioned above, much of Mozambique’s healthcare infrastructure was wiped out during the civil war, and recovery is still ongoing. Hence, less than half of Mozambicans have access to improved drinking water sources, and there has been little improvement since the civil war ended in the early 1990s. Only about 10 percent of Mozambicans have access to improved sanitation facilities, and few of these would meet modern standards.

The WHO and the Mozambican Ministry of Health have drafted a Country Cooperation Strategy for 2009 – 13. The main aims are: strengthening health systems (including the health care workforce), reducing the burden of disease, improving maternal and child health, addressing health determinants, and improving leadership and cooperation with aid organizations.

Mozambique is an increasingly attractive travel destination for business or pleasure, but there are a number of health risks involved. Visiting a travel health specialist four to six weeks before departure to update routine immunisations is strongly recommended.

Malaria is a major health risk in the country. Be sure to wear long sleeved clothing, sleep under mosquito nets and use insect repellent with DEET. Taking a preventative dose of anti-malarial drugs is also recommended. Bring anti-malarial drugs from your home country and do not take halofantrine, as the side effects may be serious. Mozambique is also at risk for several other insect-borne diseases such as dengue, river blindness and African sleeping sickness.

HIV and other sexual transmitted infection risk is also very high in Mozambique. Beware of any intravenous drug use and always use latex condoms during sexual intercourse. Other serious health risks include rabies, schistosomiasis, polio, plague and avian influenza.

Mozambique Expat Health Insurance

As one of the poorest countries in the world, Mozambique’s health care system is very limited, especially in more remote rural areas. Only a limited number of hospitals can provide specialist care, so air evacuation will probably be required in case of an emergency in Mozambique. international health insurance plan is strongly recommended, as it will ensure that the high costs associated with emergency medical evacuations and transportations to high quality medical facilities are covered.

To help guide you through the myriad options available in the international health insurance market, Global Health Insurance has a dedicated team of experienced advisors available around the clock, whether you are travelling or moving to Mozambique. Expat health insurance plans that are available may include optional cover for alternative medicine, maternity, dental and specialist care and can even offer medical air evacuation. Contact a Global Health Insurance representative today for more information.