It is a country of breathtaking desert landscapes and ancient cities, but for travelers and expats, Mauritania poses a serious question: “Is the healthcare system a mirage, or is there a real oasis of care?”
By 2026, the answer is shifting. While Mauritania’s healthcare system still faces significant challenges compared to its northern neighbors like Morocco, it is undergoing a quiet “Digital Revolution.”
Did you know that the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Nouakchott recently expanded its cardiology wing to handle complex interventions that previously required flying to Tunis? Or that the government’s new E-CNAM (Digital Health Insurance) platform launched in late 2025 is finally streamlining how patients access medication and records?
If you are an expat in the mining sector, a diplomat, or an adventurous tourist, you need to know where to go when things go wrong. This guide provides a transparent, data-backed look at Hospitals in Mauritania and the critical “Stabilize & Evacuate” strategy you must adopt.
The Healthcare Landscape: Survival of the Fittest
Mauritania operates on a system that is heavily concentrated in the capital, Nouakchott. Outside the city, care is basic at best.
- The Public Giants:
- The Reality: Hospitals like the Centre Hospitalier National (CHN) are the backbone of the system. They are affordable (often free for locals) but face chronic overcrowding and supply shortages.
- Best For: Trauma and major accidents where you have no other choice.
- The “Partner” Hospitals:
- The Reality: Facilities like Sheikh Zayed (UAE-funded) and the National Oncology Center operate with higher budgets and international standards.
- Trend for 2026: We are seeing more “Medical Missions” where foreign specialists visit these hospitals for 2-week surgical camps.
- The Private Clinics:
- The Reality: Clinics like Chiva or Kissi offer a higher comfort level (AC, private rooms) and faster service. They are the preferred first stop for expats for non-life-threatening issues.
Critical Note: For serious conditions (stroke, severe head trauma, complex surgery), the standard procedure for foreigners is still Medical Evacuation to the Canary Islands (Spain), Morocco, or Tunisia.
Top Hospitals in Mauritania: A Closer Look
Based on facility audits and expat feedback from our Hospitals in Mauritania category, here are the facilities you can trust.
1. Sheikh Zayed Hospital
- Location: Nouakchott
- Best For: Cardiology, Dialysis, Emergency Surgery.
- The Scoop: Built and supported by the UAE, this is arguably the most modern public facility. It houses advanced diagnostic equipment (CT/MRI) that is often operational when others are not. It is the go-to center for heart conditions.
2. Centre Hospitalier National (CHN)
- Location: Nouakchott
- Best For: Trauma, Infectious Diseases, General Surgery.
- The Scoop: This is the massive 500+ bed teaching hospital. It is chaotic and crowded, but it has the widest range of specialists on call 24/7. If you are in a car accident in the city, the ambulance will likely bring you here.
3. Military Hospital (Hôpital Militaire)
- Location: Nouakchott
- Best For: Orthopedics, Lab Work, General Medicine.
- The Scoop: Known for being cleaner and more disciplined than general public hospitals. While it prioritizes military personnel, it accepts civilians and is highly rated for its laboratory accuracy and orthopedic surgeries.
4. National Oncology Center (CNO)
- Location: Nouakchott
- Best For: Cancer Treatment (Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy).
- The Scoop: A specialized center dedicated to fighting cancer. It is the only facility in the country with functioning radiotherapy equipment. In 2025, they partnered with international NGOs to improve their breast cancer screening programs.
Comparison: Top 10 Hospitals & Clinics
To help you navigate the chaos, we’ve compiled this quick-reference table.
| Hospital Name | Type | Location | Best For… | Approx. Beds |
| Centre Hospitalier National | Public | Nouakchott | Trauma & General | 520 |
| Sheikh Zayed Hospital | Public/Partner | Nouakchott | Cardiology & Emergency | 185+ |
| Military Hospital | Public/Military | Nouakchott | Orthopedics & Labs | 100 |
| National Oncology Center | Public | Nouakchott | Cancer Care | 40 |
| Clinique Chiva | Private | Tevragh-Zeina | Expat Care / Outpatient | 20+ |
| Clinique Kissi | Private | Tevragh-Zeina | 24/7 Emergency (Basic) | 15+ |
| Nouadhibou Regional | Public | Nouadhibou | Coastal Emergency | 140 |
| National Cardiology Center | Public | Nouakchott | Heart Surgery | 60 |
| Mere-Enfant Hospital | Public | Nouakchott | Pediatrics & Maternity | 80 |
| Clinique Ibn Sina | Private | Nouakchott | General Practice | Day Ward |
Real Stories: The Importance of Cash and Connections
In Mauritania, who you know can be as important as where you go.
Take the story of Jean-Luc, a French engineer working in Nouadhibou. He shared his ordeal on our forum recently.
“I woke up with severe abdominal pain. The local clinic in Nouadhibou did an ultrasound but couldn’t confirm if it was my appendix. I called the MyHospitalNow forum community, and a local user recommended I fly immediately to Nouakchott. They gave me the direct number for a surgeon at Clinique Chiva. I was on the plane in 2 hours, operated on that night, and back at work in 10 days. Without that contact, I might have waited too long.”
Do you have a contact or a review of a doctor in Mauritania? Share it on the MyHospitalNow Forum. You might save someone a 5-hour wait.
5 Critical Tips for Patients in Mauritania
- Evacuation Insurance is Mandatory: We cannot repeat this enough. If you have a stroke or severe heart attack, you need to be in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) or Rabat. A private medical jet costs $40,000+. Ensure your insurance covers “air ambulance.”
- Cash Up Front: Private clinics and even some public services often require cash payment before admission. Credit card machines are frequently “down.” Keep 20,000 MRU (approx. $500 USD) in cash for emergencies.
- Pharmacy Roulette: Counterfeit medicine is a risk. Buy your medication only from reputable pharmacies in the Tevragh-Zeina district (like Pharmacie Paris) and avoid street vendors.
- The Language Barrier: The medical language is French. Arabic is the national language. English is rarely spoken by nursing staff. If you don’t speak French, bring a translator or use a translation app.
- Water Warning: Never drink tap water, even in the best hotels. Use bottled water for everything, including brushing your teeth, to avoid water-borne diseases that could land you in the hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is healthcare free in Mauritania?
Technically, public healthcare is subsidized for citizens, but patients often pay for everything from gauze to syringes. Expats and tourists must pay for all services.
2. Where is the best place for expats to go?
For minor issues, Clinique Chiva or Clinique Kissi in the Tevragh-Zeina neighborhood are the standard choices due to their higher comfort levels.
3. Do doctors speak English?
Rarely. Most doctors are trained in French or Arabic. You will need basic French or a translator.
4. Is it safe to have surgery in Mauritania?
For routine procedures (appendix, C-section), the top hospitals (Sheikh Zayed, Military) are capable. For complex or elective surgeries, it is safer to travel abroad.
5. What is the emergency number?
101 for Ambulance, 117 for Police, 118 for Fire. However, ambulances are slow. Taking a taxi is often faster.
6. Can I get malaria medication?
Yes. Malaria is endemic in the southern regions. Pharmacies in Nouakchott stock anti-malarials (like Coartem), but it is best to bring your own prophylaxis.
7. Are there dentists in Nouakchott?
Yes. There are several private dental clinics in Tevragh-Zeina (e.g., Cabinet Dr. El Ghazaly) that offer decent standards for fillings and extractions.
8. Is there a decompression chamber?
No. There is no reliable hyperbaric chamber for divers in Mauritania. The nearest is in the Canary Islands or Senegal.
9. Can I buy antibiotics over the counter?
Yes. Antibiotics are widely available without a strict prescription, but self-medicating is dangerous. Always consult a doctor first.
10. How do I get a second opinion?
Post your test results (anonymously) on our MyHospitalNow Forum to see if other patients or doctors can offer guidance, or use a telemedicine app to consult a specialist in Europe.
Final Thoughts: Be Prepared, Not Scared
Mauritania is a land of resilience. While the healthcare system has gaps, facilities like Sheikh Zayed Hospital are closing them year by year.
The key to staying safe in Nouakchott is preparation. Have your insurance ready, know your blood type, and know exactly which clinic you will drive to if you have a fever.
Don’t navigate the desert alone. Join our community of expats and locals sharing real-time advice at the MyHospitalNow Forum.
Stay hydrated, stay safe, and travel smart.