How does healthcare work in Mauritania, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Mauritania?

• The quality of healthcare in Mauritania varies quite a bit between urban and rural areas. Clinics are available in cities such as Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, and even the only hospital in Nouakchott, but the quality is often substandard compared to Western standards. In rural areas, access to medical care is even more limited. Hospitals have few facilities, outdated equipment, and a lack of trained medical staff.
• For simple medical care, facilities may be adequate, but for serious or more complex care, evacuation/repatriation is likely necessary. 
• Health insurance is not mandatory in Mauritania but is strongly recommended, especially international insurance that covers medical evacuation to neighboring countries or Europe. Many expats rely on private insurance because public care is usually inadequate.
• Emergency care can be very inefficient and lengthy. This is an important consideration for expats with health problems. 
• Many medicines are hard to come by, so make sure you bring what you need. 

How does the public healthcare system work in Mauritania?

• Public healthcare in Mauritania is largely funded by the government, but resources are limited. Patients often have to pay for medicines and medical supplies themselves, even in public hospitals. Waiting times can be long, and care is usually only accessible in larger cities.
• For locals, care is relatively inexpensive, but expats often find the quality inadequate. For serious conditions, travel to Senegal or Morocco is usually recommended.

How does the private healthcare system work in Mauritania?

• Private clinics in Mauritania, mainly in Nouakchott, offer better quality care than public institutions. These clinics usually cater to expatriates and affluent Mauritanians. English- or French-speaking doctors are available in some private clinics.
• Even in private care, for complex treatments or serious medical emergencies, patients are often evacuated to Dakar (Senegal) or Casablanca (Morocco). This emphasizes the importance of having insurance that covers evacuation costs.

How is the family doctor or general practitioner arranged in Mauritania?

• The concept of family doctors as we know it in some western countries does not really exist in Mauritania. Patients go directly to hospitals or private clinics, depending on their complaints. For minor problems, you can visit private clinics in town.
• Expats often rely on medical check-ups and consultations in Senegal or during trips to Europe.

How is the dental care and dentist arranged in Mauritania?

• Dental care in Mauritania is limited, both in terms of quality and availability. Modern dental practices can be found mainly in Nouakchott. For extensive treatments, many expats travel to Dakar (Senegal).
• Dental visits, on the other hand, are inexpensive, but the question is whether you want to take that risk. 

How is pregnancy and maternity care arranged in Mauritania?

• Maternity care in public hospitals is cheap, but the quality is usually inadequate. Hygienic conditions and medical equipment often leave much to be desired, posing a risk to both mom and child. Consequently, infant and maternal mortality in Mauritania is among the highest in the world, especially in rural areas.
• Emigrants sometimes choose private clinics but decide to give birth in Senegal or Europe, where standards of care are much higher.
• Breastfeeding is strongly encouraged, in part because formula is often difficult to obtain or expensive.
• It is helpful to discuss with other foreigners in Mauritania how they handled their pregnancies. 

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Mauritania?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safely in Mauritania?

• Mauritania is generally not very safe. Most crime takes place in urban areas, think pickpocketing and bag robberies. Very violent crime is rare, but crime rates are increasing. 
• There is a risk of terrorism in Mauritania, particularly in the eastern regions. 
• Especially in the Sahel, there is a risk of being kidnapped. So be extra careful here. 
• Beaches and the Le Cinquieme district are not safe in the evening. It is recommended to avoid these areas.  
• Make sure you know the country's rules well. It is an Islamic country and participating in non-Islamic gatherings and activities, for example, is not allowed without permission.  
• The emergency number for crime is 117. 

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Mauritania?

• Malaria is a major risk throughout the year. There are also other mosquito-borne diseases. 
• Among other diseases, HIV/AIDS is also a considerable risk. 
• In addition, infectious diseases caused by food and drink are common. It is wise to avoid raw and improperly cooked food. 
• Tap water is not safe to drink. 

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Mauritania?

• Driving in Mauritania can be quite chaotic. Traffic rules are rarely accepted and roads are often in poor condition. 
• Outside the cities, roads are often difficult to drive on. It is really almost only doable to drive with a four-wheel drive and better also in convoy. Accidents often happen and roadside assistance is not to be expected. 
• It may be helpful to arrange transportation with a driver, then the driver and rental company are responsible should anything go wrong. 

What are the best insurance options for backpacking, traveling, doing an internship, studying, volunteering, or working in Mauritania?

• Is the trip to Mauritania and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity?
• Insurance for backpacking and traveling in Mauritania
• Insurance for studying in Mauritania
• Insurance for internships in Mauritania
• Insurance for volunteering in Mauritania
• Insurance for digital nomads or paid work in Mauritania

What types of insurance should you get if you're planning to emigrate, work as an expat, or live in Mauritania?

• Having your own well-covered health insurance is not mandatory, but you can't really do without it in Mauritania. Continue reading about emigrating to Mauritania or preparing a trip to Mauritania.
• International health insurance for Mauritania
• International travel insurance for Mauritania
• International life insurance for Mauritania
• International income protection insurance for Mauritania