• Individual plans
• Family plans
• Group plans
• Travel plans
• Teacher plans

Swaziland Expat Health Insurance

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small country in Africa bordering Mozambique and South Africa. Commonly referred to simply as Swaziland, it is also known as Swatini and Ngwane. The country has two capital cities, Lobamba the royal and legislative capital, and Mbabane the administrative capital. Mbabane is also the country’s largest city. Swaziland is one of the few remaining African countries with a monarchy, and the last absolute monarch in the world that has the power to appoint the country’s judicial personnel and the Prime Minister. King Mswati III reigns, and has been King and head of the Swazi Royal Family since 1986. Beautiful scenery awaits visitors to Swaziland, who can explore the Ezulwini and Malkerns Valleys or the Usutu River as well as enjoy wildlife adventures at game reserves and national parks. Swaziland’s terrain is primarily hilly and mountainous, with the lowest point 21 meters above sea-level. The rainy season occurs in November through March with torrential thunderstorms and temperatures usually around 20°C (68°F). Winter, June through August is principally dry with temperatures typically 13°C (55.4°F).

The official languages in Swaziland are English and Siswazi, with several minority languages also spoken. The currency is the Lilangeni, which is tied to the value of the South African Rand. The Rand is also an accepted currency in Swaziland. The economy is also closely tied to South Africa, which is the main importer of goods and the biggest exporter to Swaziland. The economy is diverse consisting of industries such as forestry, mining, agriculture and manufacturing, all of which contribute to the country’s GDP, however government services are the biggest contributor overall. The government is heavily reliant on the income generated by customs revenues from trade with South Africa, however following the global economic downturn, these takings significantly decreased and as a result, the country entered a financial crisis. The population of Swaziland is estimated at 1.4 million with an unemployment rate at a staggering 40 per cent, highlighting the great need for foreign investment.

Swaziland Health Care and Insurance

The health care system in Swaziland consists of both formal and informal sectors. The formal sector is based on western medicine and is made up of public and private health services. There are seven government hospitals in Swaziland, and several health clinics. Unfortunately, only basic healthcare is available in these facilities and it is common for there to be shortages of everyday medicines. The Mbabane Clinic in the capital is well equipped to deal with minor procedures, however travellers to Swaziland can be expected to be evacuated in serious cases, of which local private hospitals have the facilities to arrange, however such evacuations are expensive. In the case of evacuation, patients are most often sent to South Africa for treatment. Only when payment is made upfront or proof of insurance coverage is provided will these be arranged. This highlights the need for expats and travelers to ensure that they have comprehensive travel and medical insurance before starting their trip to Swaziland.

The informal health sector is unregulated and consists of traditional healers, which are consulted by approximately 80 per cent of the population. Many Swazi’s who are ill will consult a Sangoma and an Inyanga, the Sangoma relying on divination for healing and believing that ancestors in the afterlife will guide and protect them. The Inyanga prescribes herbal medicines, and is commonly known as a herb doctor or herbalist. It is extremely disrespectful to Swazi to refer to these traditional healers as witch doctors.

Swaziland has many health challenges in terms of infrastructure, health indicators and disease prevention. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, Swaziland has the highest adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world, with approximately 25.9% of the population infected. Approximately 1 in every 2 women between the ages of 25-29 is infected. This presents huge challenges for the health system in itself; however help is being rendered by the United Nations, which is working with Swaziland to reduce HIV/AIDS infection rates. UNICEF is also active in the country, mainly as a result of the large number of orphaned children from the disease. In country health indicators are reflected in Swaziland’s estimated life expectancies of 47 for males and 50 for females, with 7% of children expected to die before the age of 5. The government also has other medical issues to deal with, such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, Typhoid, Cholera and Hepatitis All of these present challenges put pressure on the health system. Travellers should also be aware that ambulances are lacking, and medical response capabilities are extremely limited, therefore arranging Swaziland health insurance in case of injury or illness is recommended

Swaziland Travel Insurance Concerns

Prior to travelling to Swaziland it is recommended that routine vaccinations (such as tetanus, polio, measles/mumps/rubella) are up-to-date, and expatriate health insurance is arranged in case of illness or injury while travelling. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following vaccinations before travelling to Swaziland; Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and Rabies. Hepatitis A is transmitted through exposure to the virus, which can be found in contaminated water, ice, shellfish, and uncooked fruit and vegetables. This is one of the most common vaccine preventable infections. Another disease which can be contracted in Swaziland through food or water is Typhoid. If strict hygiene practices are undertaken then both diseases can be avoided. Care should be taken to wash hands regularly with soap or an alcohol based gel, and only bottled water should be drunk. The Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through body fluids or infected blood, and the vaccine is recommended if travellers might be exposed through such things as medical treatment for example.

Those travellers that are expecting to spend considerable time outdoors are advised to have the Rabies vaccination. Travellers are recommended not to touch or feed any animals, including cats and dogs, and particular care should be taken with children as they are more likely to have contact with animals. If in the event of a bite or if an animal licks an open wound, the area should be washed and medical treatment sought immediately. There is also a risk of Malaria in areas of Swaziland. Prior to travel, expatriates should discuss with their doctor the best ways to avoid contracting the disease. Preventative measures are recommended such as covering exposed skin, applying insect repellent frequently, spraying rooms with insect-spray and sleeping in an air-conditioned room. The CDC also advises taking a prescription anti-malarial drug. It should be noted however that Chloroquine is not an effective anti-malarial drug in Swaziland. Visitors to Swaziland need to provide proof of having had the yellow fever vaccine if they have travelled from a country where there is a risk of transmission. There is no risk of contracting yellow fever in Swaziland.

Travellers to Swaziland should take care when driving on the roads as the driving standard is not comparable to western countries. Locals drive at excessive speed and often drive across the central reservation. In rural areas care should be taken to avoid stray animals on the road. If you break down be cautious of anyone who offers assistance as it presents them with the opportunity for theft. Travel advisories also advise travellers not to use public transport. The level of crime in Swaziland is relatively low compared with South Africa and Mozambique however crime does still occur and sometimes involves violence. Expatriates should avoid travelling in and out of Swaziland at night as there have been many incidences of car hijacking. Advisories note that comprehensive travel and medical insurance should be taken out to help cover any costs such as unexpected medical expenses or stolen belongings.

Swaziland Expat Health Insurance

The health service in Swaziland is not comparable to western standards and good medical care is only available for minor injuries. Air evacuation is often the only option for serious illness, therefore it is recommended that expats and those travelling to Swaziland, purchase expat health insurance which includes air evacuation. Global Health Insurance has various medical insurance plans available for both long and short-term travel, and policies can be tailored to meet specific needs, whether you are travelling globally or to Swaziland. Expat health insurance policies can be transferred globally and can include inpatient services, repatriation and emergency evacuation, doctor consultations and medications, specialist care and maternity coverage. To ensure a medical emergency does not become a financial burden, contact one of our insurance experts for assistance on the health care insurance package that is right for you and your family. You’ll receive friendly and helpful advice at no cost.