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Tanzania Expat Health Insurance

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in East Africa and borders the Indian Ocean to the east, Uganda and Kenya to the north, to the west the Democratic Republic of Congo and to the south, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. In 1964 Tanganyika and Zanzibar united and became the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which was later, renamed the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanzania encompasses not only the mainland, but also the Zanzibar archipelagoes, which are located approximately 25-30 miles off the mainland in the Indian Ocean. The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma, however the largest city is Dar es Salaam which is located on the coast. One of the world’s poorest economies based on per capita income, Tanzania’s economy is driven by agriculture, which accounts for approximately 40 percent of the country’s GDP. The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling but US Dollars are also widely accepted throughout the country.

Tanzania is a popular choice for travellers and has many of Africa’s most enchanting destinations. Visitors can climb 5,895m up Mount Kilimanjaro, view Chimpanzees in the wild in Gombe National Park, relax on white sandy beaches on Zanzibar Island or witness the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. With these beautiful natural attractions however comes risks, and travel advisories recommend that travellers take out full Tanzania health insurance to cover accidents, medical treatment and air evacuation prior to travel. The climate in Tanzania is tropical all year round, with the weather driest and coolest from June to October. March through to May is the main rainy season and also when the risk of malaria is the highest. The official language is Swahili; however, English is also spoken, used in the courts and higher education establishments.

Tanzania Health Care and Insurance

Over the last decade, the country’s GDP has been increasing steadily and with that the Tanzanian Government has invested heavily in the public sector, including health care. This investment along with partnerships with developed nations and the World Health Organization, has brought with it reforms that have decentralized the health system and encouraged public-private partnership. These measures are gradually improving the health system and health outcomes of the populace. The prevalence of malaria on the mainland has declined from 20 percent in 2006 to 18 percent, ownership of mosquito nets has increased from 15 percent to over 60 percent, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has also reduced from 7 percent in 2003 to 5.7 percent. There is still however a long way to go to improve health indicators and align these with much of the developed world.

Tanzania has a population of approximately 42.7 million, with around 74 percent of those people living in rural areas. Of those, only 28 percent have access to clean and safe water. Diseases transmitted by contaminated water are common in Tanzania, with Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio all present. Other illnesses such as Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria also pose major health risks.

Over 35 percent of the population on the mainland is chronically malnourished and around 44 percent of the population is aged less than 15 years. Life expectancy is 53 years for men and 56 years for women. According to the World Health Organization there are only 0.1 physicians and 2.4 nurses per 10,000 people, compared to the regional average of 2.3 physicians and 10.9 nurses per 10,000.

Medical facilities are limited outside Dar es Salaam, and even those in Dar es Salaam often have shortages in medicine and are equipped only to treat minor ailments. In some rural areas one hospital can serve as many as 350,000 people. If medical services are required in Tanzania doctors often request upfront payment before treatment and expatriates and travellers should be aware that the standard of service will be far lower than that expected by citizens of developed nations. For more serious injuries, travellers should be prepared to receive treatment in Nairobi or South Africa, where more advanced medical treatment is available. Travel advisories note that visitors to Tanzania should ensure before they travel that they have comprehensive travel and medical insurance including cover for air evacuation, with a medical attendant if required. Travel guides also recommend travellers complete a first-aid course if they will be spending time away from the urban areas of Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Zanzibar due to the lack of medical facilities outside the major cities.

Tanzania Travel Insurance Concerns

Prior to travel to Tanzania it is recommended that routine vaccinations (such as tetanus, polio and measles/mumps/rubella) are up-to-date, and expatriate health insurance is arranged in case of illness or injury while travelling. The following vaccinations are recommended by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Polio, Yellow Fever and Rabies. Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio are all transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Strict hygiene practices should be undertaken to minimize exposure; hands should be washed regularly with soap or an alcohol based gel and wherever possible only bottled water should be drunk and used for food preparation. If bottled water is not available then iodine tablets and water filters should be used to purify the water before use. Those infected with Hepatitis B can spread the disease through blood or bodily fluids and the vaccination is recommended in the event that travelers could potentially be exposed through medical treatment or through unsafe behaviors such as needle-sharing or unprotected sexual encounters. Due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania to avoid exposure, precautions should be taken. Travellers to Tanzania that plan to spend time outdoors, cycling, hiking or camping are recommended to get a rabies vaccination. Advisories recommended that visitors do not touch or feed any animals. If in the event that you are bitten or licked on an open wound, the area should be washed and medical treatment sought immediately.

There is no risk of contracting yellow fever in Tanzania; however visitors to Tanzania 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 however a risk of contracting Malaria in all areas below 1,800m (5,906 ft). Other diseases such as Dengue fever, African sleeping sickness and Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) are all spread by insect bites and are also present in Tanzania. Prior to travel, expats should discuss with a medical professional the best ways in which to avoid contracting such diseases. Suggested measures comprise a mix of covering exposed skin, applying insect repellent regularly, and preventing bites while sleeping by spraying rooms using a bug-spray and utilizing mosquito-nets. The CDC also advises taking a prescription antimalarial drug and notes that Chloroquine is not an effectual anti-malarial drug in Tanzania.

Travelers to Tanzania should be well prepared before starting their trip. Along with the appropriate vaccinations, visitors should ensure that they have international medical and travel insurance that covers all their proposed activities. Every year tourists to Tanzania are injured and in some cases killed climbing Kilimanjaro either being struck down by landslides or falling ill with altitude sickness or hyperthermia. There are also cases where travellers have been mauled or killed by wild animals. Tourists visiting Tanzania should ensure that they are physically fit enough to partake in their chosen activities, use only legitimate tour operators and take a responsible role in their safety.

As with other African nations, crime is a problem. Visitors should be alert against muggings, vehicle theft and credit-card fraud. Under no circumstance should travellers use unlicensed taxis as there have been incidences where tourists have been kidnapped, robbed and forced to withdraw cash from ATMs and wire transfer large sums of money. In recent years there has also been an increase in piracy off the coast of Tanzania, with pirates attacking small fishing vessels and tourist boats. Travel advisories recommend not sailing out of the sight of the shore as the Tanzanian Navy does not have the capacity to respond to such attacks. Advisories also note that comprehensive Tanzania travel and medical insurance should be taken out to cover any unforeseen costs such as medical expenses or stolen personal effects.

Tanzania Expat Health Insurance

The health service in Tanzania is far below western standards and medical care is only available for minor injuries. For more serious illnesses or injuries, air evacuation to either Nairobi or South Africa is the only option, and for travellers and expatriates in or going to Tanzania, expat health insurance or comprehensive travel health insurance should be taken out to cover such risks. Global Health insurance can tailor international health insurance plans to meet your needs, whether that is long or short-term travel, and across a variety of budgets, whether travelling around the globe or just to Tanzania. Expat health insurance policies can be transferred globally and can include doctor consultations, inpatient services, medications, maternity coverage, repatriation or emergency evacuation. Contact one of our Global Health Insurance experts for a free expatriate health insurance quote that is right for you and your family. Ensure that a medical emergency does not become a financial burden and contact us today.

Until the terrorism and religious extremism that currently sours Tanzania ends, the wisdom of preparedness cannot be understated for anyone planning to visit there. No matter the length of stay, risks to health and safety should not be marginalized by lack of consideration for your own well-being. Global Health Insurance offers Tanzania Expat Health Insurance, International Health Insurance, and Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance to take some of the unknown out of the equation when going to places such as Tanzania. Contact Global Health Insurance to have an Insurance Expert assist you in selecting the Tanzania expat health insurance plan than that is best suited to your needs.