Mozambique is a country of incredible potential, driven by booming energy sectors and a coastline that rivals the Maldives. But for the expats working in the gas fields of Cabo Delgado or tourists exploring the Bazaruto Archipelago, the healthcare question is often the elephant in the room.
“If I catch cerebral malaria or get in a car accident, can they treat me here, or do I need a plane to Johannesburg?”
In 2026, the answer is a critical “It depends.” Maputo, the capital, has seen a surge in quality private healthcare, thanks largely to South African hospital groups entering the market. Facilities like Lenmed Maputo Private Hospital now offer standards that are reassuringly familiar to Westerners. However, outside the capital, the infrastructure drops off steeply.
Did you know that the Instituto do Coração (ICOR) in Maputo is a non-profit center of excellence performing complex heart surgeries that were impossible locally a decade ago? Or that in the north, mining companies have essentially built their own “mini-hospitals” to bypass local limitations?
Whether you are an NGO worker, a mining engineer, or a traveler, you need a strategy. This guide provides a transparent, data-backed look at Hospitals in Mozambique, the vital South African connection, and how to survive the “Malaria Belt.”
The “Stabilize and Evacuate” Reality
Healthcare in Mozambique operates on a specific hierarchy. Understanding this can save your life.
- The Private Sector (Maputo Bubble):
- The Reality: In Maputo, private hospitals are good. They are clean, have air conditioning, and use modern equipment.
- The Connection: Most top private hospitals are affiliated with South African chains. They can handle C-sections, appendectomies, and tropical diseases efficiently.
- The Limit: For severe trauma (brain injury) or complex oncology, the protocol is almost always Medical Evacuation to Nelspruit or Johannesburg (South Africa).
- The Public Sector (Sistema Nacional de Saúde):
- The Reality: Facilities like Maputo Central Hospital are the backbone of the nation. They are free/cheap but critically underfunded.
- The Experience: Expect extreme overcrowding, shortages of basic supplies (gloves, syringes), and no privacy.
- The Rule: Avoid public hospitals for elective care. Use them only if you are bleeding out and it is the nearest building.
Top Hospitals in Mozambique: A Closer Look
Based on facility audits and expat feedback from our Hospitals in Mozambique category, here are the facilities you can trust.
1. Lenmed Maputo Private Hospital
- Location: Maputo (Sommerschield)
- Best For: Expats, General Surgery, Maternity, Emergency.
- The Scoop: Formerly known simply as “Maputo Private,” this is the gold standard for foreigners. Managed by the South African Lenmed group, it operates to SA standards. It has a 24-hour emergency room, decent ICU facilities, and English-speaking doctors. It is the first stop for most insurance-backed patients.
2. Instituto do Coração (ICOR)
- Location: Maputo
- Best For: Cardiology, Heart Surgery.
- The Scoop: A beacon of hope. ICOR is a specialized heart institute that combines private care with charity work. It is the most sophisticated facility in the country for cardiovascular issues. If you have chest pains in Maputo, come here.
3. Clinica da Sommerschield
- Location: Maputo
- Best For: Outpatient care, Diagnostics, Pediatrics.
- The Scoop: A high-end clinic located in the diplomatic quarter. It is smaller than Lenmed but highly regarded for its attentive service and diagnostic capabilities. It feels more like a European clinic than a hospital.
4. Maputo Central Hospital (HCM)
- Location: Maputo
- Best For: Major Trauma (stabilization only).
- The Scoop: The largest hospital in the country (1,500+ beds). It houses the medical school and the only major trauma unit. While the building is old and resources are scarce, the senior professors here are the most experienced in the nation for treating gunshot wounds or severe car accident trauma before evacuation.
Comparison: Top 10 Hospitals & Clinics
Outside of Maputo, “Private Hospital” often means a small clinic.
| Hospital Name | Type | Location | Best For… | Approx. Status |
| Lenmed Maputo Private | Private | Maputo | Expat Care / Emergency | Top Tier |
| ICOR (Heart Institute) | Private/NP | Maputo | Cardiology | Specialized |
| Clinica da Sommerschield | Private | Maputo | Diagnostics / GP | High End |
| Maputo Central (HCM) | Public | Maputo | Trauma Stabilization | Crowded |
| Central Hospital of Beira | Public | Beira | Regional Hub (Central) | Resource Poor |
| Mediclinic (Tete/Pemba) | Private | Various | Mining Support / Urgent | Corporate |
| Clinica 222 | Private | Maputo | 24/7 Emergency | Established |
| Nampula Central Hospital | Public | Nampula | Northern Hub | Crowded |
| Shifa Hospital | Private | Maputo | General Medicine | Affordable |
| Clinica de Fernão de Magalhães | Private | Maputo | Family Medicine | Clinic |
Real Stories: The Malaria Scare
Malaria is not a myth here; it is a daily reality. Meet James K., a logistics coordinator who shared his story on our forum.
“I was in Pemba when I got the ‘shivers.’ I knew it was Malaria. The local public clinic was out of test kits. I used my satellite phone to call my company doctor, who directed me to a private clinic run for the oil workers. They tested me (Falciparum positive), put me on an IV drip of Artesunate immediately, and monitored me for 2 days. If I had stayed in the village, I might have developed cerebral malaria. You need to know where the private clinics are before you get a fever.”
Have you navigated the system in Mozambique? Help others by sharing your story on the MyHospitalNow Forum.
5 Critical Tips for Patients in Mozambique
- The “Border Run” Mentality: For non-emergency but serious issues (dental surgery, complex scans, difficult pregnancy), most expats drive or fly to Nelspruit (Mbombela) in South Africa. It is a 2-4 hour drive from Maputo and offers First World care.
- Malaria is Boss: Mozambique has chloroquine-resistant Malaria. If you get a fever, assume it is Malaria until proven otherwise. Carry your own “Rapid Diagnostic Test” (RDT) kits and a course of Coartem (treatment) if traveling north of Maputo.
- Language Barrier: The official language is Portuguese. Unlike other parts of Africa, English is not widely spoken in public hospitals. In private clinics like Lenmed, doctors speak English, but support staff may not.
- Cash is King (Meticais): Credit card machines frequently fail due to network issues. Always carry significant cash (Meticais or USD) to pay for admission deposits or medications at night.
- Traffic Trauma: Road accidents are the #1 risk for foreigners. Do not drive at night outside cities. If you have an accident, getting an ambulance can take hours. Know the number for private evacuation services (like Vodacom Rescue or MRI).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is healthcare free in Mozambique?
Technically, public healthcare is almost free (nominal fees), but the quality is low. Private healthcare is expensive and requires upfront payment or insurance.
2. Do doctors speak English?
In Maputo’s top private hospitals (Lenmed), yes. In public hospitals and rural areas, Portuguese is essential.
3. Is the water safe to drink?
No. Never drink tap water in Mozambique. Cholera outbreaks occur. Stick to sealed bottled water.
4. What is the emergency number?
117 (General Emergency) or 119 (Police). However, reliability is low. Have the direct number of a private ambulance or your hospital.
5. Do I need Malaria pills?
Yes. The entire country is a high-risk Malaria zone. Consult a travel doctor about prophylaxis (Doxycycline or Malarone) before you go.
6. Can I get a medical visa?
Most patients go out of Mozambique for care, not in. However, tourists can be treated on their standard visa.
7. Are there pharmacies?
Yes, “Farmácias” are common. In Maputo, they are well-stocked. In rural areas, stocks are unreliable. Counterfeit medicine is a risk; buy from reputable chains.
8. Is dental care available?
There are good private dentists in Maputo (often Brazilian or Portuguese trained). For major work, many still prefer South Africa.
9. Does travel insurance work?
Yes, but most clinics will demand you pay first and claim later. Only the biggest hospitals (Lenmed) might accept a Guarantee of Payment from global insurers.
10. What about snake bites?
Venomous snakes (Puff Adders, Mambas) exist. Maputo Central Hospital and Lenmed usually stock antivenom. Do not try to suck the poison out; go to the hospital immediately.
Final Thoughts: Be Prepared, Not Paranoid
Mozambique is an adventure, and like all adventures, it carries risk. The key to enjoying Maputo’s prawn curries and Tofo’s whale sharks is self-sufficiency.
Know that Lenmed is your safe harbor in the capital, and have your evacuation insurance paid up for everything else.
Don’t go off-grid without a plan. Join our community of expats and travelers. Ask for current recommendations on doctors or road conditions at the MyHospitalNow Forum.