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Zimbabwe Expat Health Insurance

The Republic of Zimbabwe, also known informally as Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country on the southern African Continent. Zimbabwe was previously known as Rhodesia, the Republic of Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Zimbabwe Rhodesia at different time during its history. Zimabwe shares its borders to the south with South Africa, to the south west with Botswana, Zambia the northwest, and Mozambique to the east Mozambique. Zimbabwe is located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. The capital of the country, and largest city, is Harare, while the official languages are English, Shona, and Ndebele. There is no local currency.

Zimbabwe has a population of 12.521 million people who are dispersed over a land area of 390,757 square kilometers. Founded as Southern Rhodesia by the British South African Company (BSAC), Zimbabwe was a British Crown Colony until 1901. The country achieved independence in 1980, but still retains the territorial divisions put in place by the BSAC.

Zimbabwe is a semi-presidential Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The lower chamber of Parliament is called the House of Assembly while the upper chamber is called the Senate.

Gross domestic product for 2010 was US$ 7.474 billion. During 2010 Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 9 percent despite ongoing political uncertainty in the country; consistent economic growth is expected to continue over the short-term. This is despite a number of land reforms introduced by the Zimbabwean government which resulted in widespread violence and severely hampered productivity in the country’s agricultural sector. According to 1996 estimates, the most recent year for which data is available, more than 66 percent of the local workforce is engaged in agricultural activities. More recent overall figures show that, as of 2009, local unemployment was 95 percent of the country’s 3.8 million strong workforce. Current public debt in Zimbabwe, according to a 2010 study, is 149 percent of the nation’s GDP.

Zimbabwe Healthcare System

The total per capita expenditure on health care services within the country, as of 2001, was US$ 56. Total healthcare expenditure in Zimbabwe, as a percentage of GDP, was 6,9 percent in 1999. Within the country the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare is responsible for the administration of the health care system. Since independence from the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe’s health care system has suffered considerably, and has more or less collapsed quality healthcare services that are up to western standards, are virtually nonexistent within the country.

While the 5 year period following the Zimbabwe’s independence saw improvements in areas such as access to health care services, immunization, and contraceptive prevalence, there has since been a stagnation of healthcare service development within the country. The country continues to suffer from outbreaks of various diseases, including the Plague and Cholera. A 2008 outbreak of Cholera left more than 10,000 Zimbabweans dead, and quickly spread to the neighboring countries of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. By 2009, the number of people killed by the Cholera outbreak had risen to 89,018 across all 5 countries. There are a number of serious concerns with regards to Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and any gains made on national health since the country’s independence have been wiped away by the impact of the HIV/AIDs pandemic, and the Global economic turndown of 2007- 2010.

Three of the four main hospitals in Zimbabwe were closed before November 2008. The Zimbabwe Medical School has also closed its doors, while the one remaining hospital has only two wards and no surgical theatres in working order. As a result of extraordinary inflation, those hospitals that are still in operation cannot obtain even the most basic of drugs and medicines. The health care system has lost a considerable number of staff due to the emigration of doctors and nurses in search of better opportunities abroad.

According to recent estimates, the population of Zimbabwe will experience a growth rate of 4.31 percent in 2011. The current estimated birth rate is 31.86 births per 1,000 residents, while the country’s death rate is in the region of 13.58 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. The infant morality rate is set at 29.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. Zimbabwean average life expectancies are 49.93 years from birth for males and 49.34 years from birth for females. Zimbabwe has the lowest average life expectancy on earth, and is one of the few nations worldwide where men are expected to outlive women. The country’s total fertility rate is currently 3.53 children born per woman. The net migration rate is 24.83 migrants per 1,000 people ranking it first in the world. The rate of urbanization is 38 percent of the total population.

Zimbabwe Travel Advice

In 2011 there will be a constitutional referendum that could potentially cause mass demonstrations and civil unrest. The Zimbabwean political situation is unpredictable, and looting and violence have occurred regularly since the start of 2011. Incidents of civil unrest are widespread, and have occurred in the central business district of Harare. For journalists traveling to the area, ensure you gain official accreditation before departing for the country; journalists who do not have the correct documentation can be arrested and imprisoned. NGO workers are also urged to ensure they have the necessary documentation before travelling. Basic services within Zimbabwe, such as water, electricity and phone networks are often unreliable.

Zimbabwe is home to many Safari lodges and game reserves that have varying levels of safety standards. Before you embark on any adventure ensure that your guide is licensed and is adequately trained. When walking, or on canoe safaris, you should remain cautious as wild animals are at large and could pose a danger if you startle them. One should remain a safe distance from the animals.

Crime is a serious issue in Zimbabwe; there have been a number of recent incidents of armed robbers specifically targeting foreigners. Be smart when choosing your lodgings, ensure that windows can be securely closed and doors locked. Pick pockets, muggers and jewel thieves are particularly active after dark in many town centers. Harare airport is notorious for attacks on people accessing ATM and bank services. You are advised to travel in groups at all times. You should carry a copy of your passport or Zimbabwean ID card at all times.

There have been numerous reported incidents of smash-and-grab car robberies with the highest concentration of incidents being along the route to Harare Airport. There have also been reported incidents along the Masvingo-Beitbridge road. Keep the doors of your car locked at all times, the windows rolled up, and remain vigilant at filling stations. The roads in Zimbabwe are often in a serious state of disrepair; poor signage is also a major concern for travelers who are unfamiliar with the country. It is common for traffic lights to be in out-of–use, or in disrepair; therefore be cautious when approaching junctions. Heavy good vehicles, stray animals, pedestrians, and cyclists all pose a risk on Zimbabwe’s roads.

If you wish to use public transport be aware that it is unreliable, unsafe, poorly maintained, and in many cases operated by uninsured, reckless operators. There have also been reports of foreigners being assaulted on unlicensed buses. Travelling by rail is not recommended. Rail services in Zimbabwe are dangerous and there have been a number of fatal train crashes. Air travel is also unreliable due to short notice cancellations. Harare Airport for the most part runs on generator electricity during power cuts, which the whole country experiences regularly. This hampers the smooth running of essential services at the airport, such as runway lighting and air-traffic control communication, and also effects passengers as this delays disembarking, immigration and luggage collection.

Zimbabwe Expat Health Insurance

If you are considering visiting the African country of Zimbabwe contact Global Health Insurance before you travel. This is to ensure you have the best possible advice in regards to your international medical insurance needs. Zimbabwe’s healthcare system leaves much to be desired, and in most cases, should an emergency arise, you will probably need emergency medical evacuation to more capable medical facilities. It is advisable that you purchase comprehensive Zimbabwe expat health insurance that covers the cost of evacuation if necessary as it can be quite expensive to evacuate from Zimbabwe. Expat health insurance we offer can also provide cover for a number of optional benefits including maternity, specialist and dental treatments. Our teams of professional consultants are trained to offer you the best information and services on all our policies and ranges of medical care cover.