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

How does the healthcare system work in Zambia?

• Zambia has a mixed healthcare system comprising both public and private care. Good care can be found, depending on your location and which care centers you visit.
• In larger cities such as Lusaka, Livingstone, and Ndola, reasonably good hospitals and private clinics are available. Outside urban areas, access to care is more limited, and facilities are often simpler.
• Healthcare consists of:
  • public hospitals and health centers;
  • private clinics and hospitals;
  • mission hospitals and ngo projects.
• For many residents, public care is the primary form of healthcare, while emigrants/expats and travelers usually make use of private care.
• For specialist treatments or serious medical emergencies, people frequently turn to South Africa.
• Ambulance services exist but are barely present except in Lusaka and other major cities. Furthermore, the quality and speed are not always reliable.
• Ambulances have limited equipment, do not always carry trained paramedics, and are therefore difficult to access outside cities.
• In emergencies, people sometimes choose transport via taxi or private car more readily. In major cities, most basic medicines are available through pharmacies and private clinics, provided they are still in stock.
• English is the official language of Zambia and is widely used within the healthcare sector, which often makes communication easier for international residents.
• International health insurance with evacuation coverage is highly recommended, as serious medical situations frequently require treatment outside Zambia.

How is public healthcare organised in Zambia?

• Public healthcare forms the basis of the healthcare system and is accessible to a large part of the population.
• Public healthcare focuses on, among other things:
  • basic healthcare.
  • vaccinations.
  • mother and child care.
  • treatment of infectious diseases.
• Larger hospitals are present in urban areas, including university and regional hospitals.
• Unfortunately, the public healthcare system is struggling with significant financial deficits, resulting in consequences such as staff shortages, limited equipment, medicine shortages, and long waiting times.

How is private healthcare organised in Zambia?

• Private healthcare is primarily found in Lusaka and other larger cities and is widely used by wealthy locals and foreigners.
• Many foreigners opt for private healthcare because waiting times are shorter and facilities are better and more modern.
• There are also sometimes agreements between certain private clinics and companies employing expats, sometimes even on-site (such as at the mines).
• However, costs are higher than in public hospitals, and payment in advance is usually required.
• Because evacuation to another country is necessary in the event of serious health problems, good insurance with coverage in multiple countries is very important.

How is the general practitioner system organised in Zambia?

• GPs are available in private clinics and urban areas.
• In rural areas, people are more often dependent on nurses, health centers, or smaller clinics.

How is dental care organised in Zambia?

• Dental care is available in Lusaka, primarily through private practices and hospitals.
• You can go to several places for simple treatments, but specialist dental care is more limited. Foreign nationals generally choose to have major dental treatments performed in private clinics.

How is pregnancy and maternity care organised in Zambia?

• Pregnancy care is an important part of public healthcare in Zambia. There are prenatal programs, health centers, and maternal clinics spread throughout the country.
• Women can make use of prenatal check-ups, guidance by midwives, and deliveries in health centers or hospitals.
• The quality varies greatly between urban and rural areas.
• For foreign nationals, private care or treatment abroad is usually preferred. Limited but good doctors and facilities are available in the private healthcare sector, particularly in Lusaka.
• Some international families choose care in South Africa or in their own country for (high-risk) pregnancies.
• Breastfeeding is common and widely socially accepted.

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

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Zambia?

• Zambia is generally seen as a relatively stable and friendly country for travelers and expats. Crime does occur, however, especially in urban areas. Think of:
  • pickpockets.
  • theft from cars.
  • street robbery.
• Extra caution is advisable:
  • in the evening and at night.
  • at busy markets.
  • at ATMs.
• Zambia is known for safaris and national parks. Beautiful, but wild animals remain wild animals. Risks include hippos (one of the most dangerous animals in Africa), elephants, buffaloes, and snakes.

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

• Tap water is not safe to drink everywhere. Many foreigners use bottled water or filtered water.
• Also present in Zambia are:
  • malaria.
  • dengue.
  • cholera.
  • traveler's diarrhea.
• Conditions that are no joke and require caution regarding mosquitoes and food.

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

• Traffic poses one of the biggest risks in Zambia. People drive on the left, it is chaotic, there are potholes in the road, and the roads are often poorly lit.
• Car accidents therefore occur relatively frequently, especially outside cities and during night drives.
• Long-distance buses are popular, but safety is a problem here too. The driver's skill and bus maintenance vary greatly by company.
• Minibuses can be overcrowded, sometimes drive fast, and do not always follow fixed schedules.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Zambia?

• Is the trip to Zambia 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 Zambia
• Insurance for studying in Zambia
• Insurance for internships in Zambia
• Insurance for volunteering in Zambia
• Insurance for digital nomads or paid work in Zambia

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Zambia if you are going to live there for a while?

• When applying for your visa, you are usually required to be able to prove that you have valid health insurance.
• If you have private insurance, you can choose your own doctor in Zambia.
• International health insurance for Zambia
• International travel insurance for Zambia
• International life insurance for Zambia
• International income protection insurance for Zambia