Mozambique (MZ)

Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.

Capital: Maputo

Region: Africa

Language: Portuguese

Currency: MZN (MT)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 20)

Emergency: 119

Healthcare in Mozambique

Mozambique's public healthcare system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) is severely under-resourced. With approximately 1 doctor per 10,000 people, the public system struggles to provide basic care outside Maputo and provincial capitals. Most international expats rely entirely on private healthcare. Maputo has two main private hospitals — the Aga Khan Hospital Mozambique and the Maputo Medical Centre (Clínica de Maputo) — which provide a reasonable standard of care for routine and moderate conditions. For serious illnesses, complex surgery, or specialist care, medical evacuation to South Africa (Johannesburg) or Kenya (Nairobi) is standard practice. Comprehensive international health insurance with evacuation coverage is non-negotiable for expats in Mozambique.

Mozambique ranks 148th out of 195 in the WHO Global Health Security Index. Private facilities in Maputo provide adequate care for routine issues; serious conditions are routinely referred to South Africa.

Public healthcare: SNS — Serviço Nacional de Saúde

National Health Service

Eligibility:Technically available to all legal residents. In practice, chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and lack of medicines make public hospitals impractical for most expats except in genuine emergencies where no private option is immediately available.

Monthly cost:Public SNS is nominally free or low-cost. For expats: private international health insurance costs USD 80–300/month (individual), USD 200–600/month (family), depending on age, coverage level, and whether medical evacuation is included.

What's included:

Emergency treatment at public hospitals (HCM — Hospital Central de Maputo)
Basic primary care at health centres (Centros de Saúde)
Antenatal and postnatal care (variable quality)
Vaccinations and disease prevention programmes
HIV/AIDS treatment (heavily supported by international donors)
Malaria diagnosis and treatment

Not included (or co-pay required):

Most specialist care — very limited capacity in public hospitals
Reliable imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT) — equipment frequently out of service
Complex surgery — usually referred to Johannesburg or Nairobi
Dental care beyond emergency extractions
Mental health services — extremely limited
Reliable medication supply — frequent stock-outs at public pharmacies

Co-payments:Nominal fees at public facilities (MT 20–100 per visit) but medicines must typically be purchased privately — public pharmacies frequently lack stock. For expats, private healthcare costs are the practical reality.

How to enrol:No formal enrollment required for public healthcare — walk in to any Centro de Saúde or Hospital Central. Bring your DIRE residence permit for registration. In practice, expats avoid routine use of public facilities due to quality concerns.

Waiting period:Public hospital waits: 2–8 hours for non-emergency cases. Private clinic waits: same-day or next-day appointments typically available in Maputo.

Private healthcare: Private Healthcare (Saúde Privada)

Who can use it:Available to anyone who can pay. Most international employers provide private health insurance as a standard benefit. International expat health insurance (CIGNA, Allianz Care, AXA, Bupa Global, Aetna International) is essential.

When it makes sense:Private healthcare is the only practical option for expats. The Aga Khan Hospital Mozambique (Maputo) and Maputo Medical Centre are the two best private facilities and handle the vast majority of expat healthcare needs. Both facilities accept international insurance directly. For anything beyond routine care (complex surgery, oncology, specialist cardiology, high-risk obstetrics), medical evacuation to South Africa or Kenya is the standard clinical decision.

Monthly cost:Private consultation: MT 1,500–6,000. International health insurance with evacuation: USD 80–300/month (individual). Medical evacuation coverage alone: USD 200–600/year (emergency evacuation providers: FrontLine, SOS International, AEA International, Global Rescue).

Major providers:

Aga Khan Hospital Mozambique (agakhanhospitals.org) — best equipped private hospital in Maputo; 24/7 A&E; accepts international insuranceMaputo Medical Centre / Clínica de Maputo (mamclinic.com) — strong expat-focused private clinic; GPs and specialists; accepts international insuranceCIGNA Global Health — international insurance widely used by multinational employersAllianz Care — international health insurance with evacuationSOS International / Global Rescue — medical evacuation providers

Accessing care

GP system

Register with either the Aga Khan Hospital or Maputo Medical Centre as your primary provider on arrival. Both have GPs and general practitioners who speak English and are familiar with expat health needs. Appointments can usually be booked same-day or next-day by phone or app. Keep your insurance card and policy number with you at all times.

Specialist referral

Private specialists (cardiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, dermatologists) are available in Maputo through the Aga Khan Hospital and Maputo Medical Centre. Referral from a GP is not required at private facilities. Waiting times for specialists: 1–5 days at private clinics. For complex cases, your insurer's medical team will recommend evacuation to South Africa or Kenya.

Emergency care

Call 117 for ambulance or 119 for police. For life-threatening emergencies in Maputo, go directly to the Aga Khan Hospital A&E (24/7) — this is the best-equipped emergency facility. For immediate life-threatening situations in areas outside Maputo, call your medical evacuation provider (SOS International, Global Rescue, or your insurer's emergency line) immediately. Do NOT rely on public ambulance response times in emergencies — private evacuation is far faster.

Out of hours

Aga Khan Hospital has 24/7 emergency care. Maputo Medical Centre has on-call doctor services. Outside Maputo, after-hours care is very limited — carry a well-stocked first aid kit and your evacuation provider's emergency number at all times. Medical evacuation contacts should be saved in your phone before you need them.

Prescriptions

Prescriptions must be issued by a licensed doctor at a private or public clinic. Private pharmacies in Maputo (Farmácia Central, farmácias in shopping centres) stock a reasonable range of medicines but availability varies. Bring a 3–6 month supply of any critical medications from your home country — Mozambique may not reliably stock uncommon drugs. Malaria prophylaxis (doxycycline, Malarone) is available in Maputo pharmacies.

Dental

Dental clinics exist in Maputo — Clínica Dentária Polana and others in Sommerschield. Private dental care is at adequate standard for routine work. For complex dental procedures (implants, complex extractions, orthodontics), many expats travel to South Africa for better quality at comparable or lower cost.

Mental health

Mental health services are extremely limited in Mozambique. A small number of private psychologists and counsellors operate in Maputo — ask in expat groups for current practitioners. The Aga Khan Hospital has a limited psychiatry service. Many expats use video/online therapy with home-country practitioners. PTSD and stress management support is available through some NGO employee assistance programmes (EAPs). See the Mental Health Resources file for dedicated guidance.

Maternity

Maternity care for expats is provided at the Aga Khan Hospital and Maputo Medical Centre. Both have obstetric units with basic facilities. However, many expat couples choose to deliver in South Africa (Netcare or Mediclinic Johannesburg) for access to NICU facilities, specialist obstetrics, and post-delivery support. If staying in Mozambique, ensure your international insurance includes maternity coverage and confirm your insurer will cover delivery at your chosen facility. Start prenatal care early and discuss your birth plan with your GP and obstetrician.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Register with the Aga Khan Hospital or Maputo Medical Centre within your first week — do not wait until you need care.
Obtain international health insurance with medical evacuation coverage BEFORE arriving in Mozambique — do not rely on travel insurance for long-term residence.
See a travel medicine doctor before arriving (or in your first week) for: malaria prophylaxis prescription, yellow fever vaccination, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies pre-exposure vaccination (strongly recommended), and tetanus update.
Save your medical evacuation provider's emergency line in your phone before you need it.
Bring 3–6 months supply of any regular prescription medications from home.
Purchase a mosquito net (impregnated with permethrin) and DEET insect repellent in your first week.

Finding English-speaking doctors:English-speaking doctors are available at both the Aga Khan Hospital and Maputo Medical Centre in Maputo. Many private specialists are South African or Portuguese-trained with English proficiency. Outside Maputo, English-speaking medical staff are rare — a Portuguese-speaking colleague or your relocation agency may need to assist with translation.

International insurance:International health insurance is essential for all expats in Mozambique. Key requirements: (1) emergency medical evacuation coverage to South Africa (minimum USD 100,000 per event); (2) direct billing with Aga Khan Hospital and Maputo Medical Centre; (3) repatriation of remains coverage; (4) emergency dental coverage. Recommended providers: CIGNA Global Health, Allianz Care, Bupa Global, AXA International, Aetna International. Annual premiums: USD 1,000–4,000 individual; USD 3,000–8,000 family.

Emergency card info:Carry a card with: your international insurance policy number and 24-hour emergency line, your medical evacuation provider's emergency number (SOS International or equivalent), blood type, known allergies, and current medications. The Aga Khan Hospital emergency number should also be saved. ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts should be set on your phone.

Pharmacies (Farmácia)

Hours:Farmácias in Maputo typically open Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00, Sat 08:00–13:00. Some 24-hour pharmacies in central Maputo (Farmácia Central on Avenida Eduardo Mondlane). Provincial pharmacies have reduced hours. Hospital pharmacies at Aga Khan and Maputo Medical Centre are available to patients during clinic hours.

After-hours / emergency:24-hour pharmacy service is available at Farmácia Central in central Maputo. Hospital pharmacies at the Aga Khan are available for emergency patients 24/7. For after-hours medication needs, the Aga Khan Hospital A&E can dispense essential medications.

Prescription rules:Most prescription medications in Mozambique require a valid prescription from a licensed Mozambican doctor. Some pharmacies may dispense common antibiotics and anti-malarials without prescription in practice — this is not recommended. Always obtain a prescription for documentation and to ensure correct dosage. Controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines) are heavily regulated and difficult to obtain; bring adequate supply from home country with documentation.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol (Panadol brand widely available)
Ibuprofen
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — essential in tropical climate
Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits
DEET insect repellent (various brands)
Loperamide (anti-diarrhoea)
Antiseptic cream and wound dressings
Sunscreen (limited brands, expensive)
Vitamin supplements (limited range)

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	MT 0 (covered by international insurance — present insurance card at reception)
GP visit (private pay)	MT 1,500–3,000 (private clinic consultation)
Specialist visit	MT 2,500–6,000 (private specialist, Maputo)
Emergency visit	MT 3,000–8,000 (private A&E at Aga Khan Hospital)
MRI scan	MT 15,000–35,000 (limited availability in Maputo; may need evacuation to Johannesburg for complex imaging)
Prescription average	MT 500–3,000 per prescription (varies widely)
Dental check-up	MT 1,500–4,000 (private dental clinic, Maputo)
Baby delivery	USD 3,000–8,000 (private hospital in Maputo); USD 5,000–15,000 (Johannesburg — often recommended)

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