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

What is the quality of healthcare in Ethiopia?

• Ethiopia has made great strides in recent years to provide its gigantic population with growth in the areas of economy, education and also health care. Life expectancy has increased significantly, maternal and child mortality rates have decreased significantly.
• However, the quality of care still lags far behind Western countries and there are many challenges in the field of ​​healthcare. Major problems include communicable diseases caused by poor hygiene/sanitation and malnutrition, but nowadays non-communicable diseases (such as cancer, diabetes etc.) are also an increasing problem.
• Medical care consists of both private and public options, with the best and most comprehensive care in Addis Ababa.
• In remote areas, health care is very basic or even completely absent.
• Due to shortages and deficiencies in care, more than 6,000 patients seek specialist care abroad each year.
• Pharmacies can be found in all major settlements. Particularly in remote areas, it can be the case that medicines are out of stock or that there is simply no pharmacy to be found. 
• 939 is the emergency number in Ethiopia. Some private hospitals also have an emergency number.

How does the public healthcare system work in Ethiopia?

• The public healthcare system includes a huge number of health posts, health centres and hospitals, and these numbers are increasing.
• The healthcare system therefore consists of three layers: primary care (health centres, pharmacies, primary hospitals), secondary care (general hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic laboratories) and tertiary care (specialised hospitals).
• However, it still suffers from a lack of funding. Hospitals are often overcrowded, cannot provide sufficient specialist care and the facilities leave much to be desired. 
• The quality of care is also generally not very good and the country has one of the largest shortages of healthcare workers in the world.
• Most hospitals can be found in Addis Ababa, but of course everyone knows that, which is why waiting times are often longer here.
• In the more remote areas, care is usually of poorer quality, although you may be seen more quickly.
• In terms of insurance, the Ethiopian Health Insurance Agency offers a limited public health insurance for residents. There is also Community-Based Health Insurance for families with very low incomes.

How does the private healthcare system work in Ethiopia?

• There are more than 3,800 private clinics and more than 40 private hospitals in Ethiopia. These institutions generally offer better, and also more expensive, care than public institutions.
• Here you usually have to pay for your treatment immediately.
• At some private health centres/hospitals you can get insurance. Sometimes even including ambulance service.
• Most foreigners choose private insurance to cover the costs of private care. Often also one with evacuation and repatriation coverage because this may be necessary for Ethiopia.
• Through your insurance you can often get a list of private institutions that are affiliated with your insurance.

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

• There is no fixed general practitioner system in Ethiopia and, as in other sectors, there is a great shortage of general/family doctors.
• In rural areas, health centres are run by nurses and midwives and there are almost never general doctors present. In the cities and large hospitals, general/family doctors can be found.
• Embassies and foreign government websites often have lists of general doctors who speak English. In Ethiopia, you will find these mainly in private health centers and hospitals that provide general care.

How is the dental care and dentist arranged in Ethiopia?

• There are good dentists to be found in Addis Ababa. They mainly work in private clinics.
• Outside Addis Ababa, you better keep your teeth safe!

How is pregnancy and maternity care arranged in Ethiopia?

• In Ethiopia, the vast majority of local women give birth at home. This is partly due to the distance to care facilities, education levels and experiences with births in public institutions.
• However, for people with sufficient money, good pregnancy and maternity care can be found in private institutions in Addis Ababa.
• It will cost a lot of money, but you can get everything you need in specialist clinics and hospitals. 
• C-sections are becoming increasingly recommended and normal, not always for the right reasons or due to medical necessity (money can be a reason, for example).

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

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

• The security situation in Ethiopia varies by region and is constantly changing. If you take the current situation into account, you can have a safe and wonderful time in Ethiopia, but it is important to stay informed via your embassy or local authorities.
• There are major security risks, especially in the border areas with Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Kenya.
• There are risks of terrorist attacks and kidnappings.
• Pickpocketing is not uncommon in Addis Ababa and violent crime sometimes occurs, mainly in the evenings.
• Earthquakes and volcanic activity also pose a risk to your safety.

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

• There are various health risks in Ethiopia, including yellow fever, malaria, zika, dengue and other insect-borne diseases.
• HIV/AIDS is also quite common in Ethiopia.
• In the high-altitude areas, you may become a victim of altitude sickness. This is a risk you run in Addis Ababa and the mountain regions. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, vomiting, difficulty with balance and coordination.
• Diseases that are transmitted through water and food are common.

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

• Traffic accidents are common. If this happens to you and you are in a safe situation, stay where you are and wait for the police.
• Main roads in the cities are of reasonable quality, but outside the city it is more like a ride on a bumpy roller coaster. 
• Most road users are also a danger to your safety. Not only because they are donkeys that walk in the middle of the road, but also because there can be donkeys behind the wheel that drive far too fast and recklessly.
• If someone approaches you in traffic, know that it is illegal to buy something from someone or give someone money when you are a participant in traffic. Doing this can lead to hefty fines. 
• Scams are also not uncommon in traffic. Sometimes people will come up to your car to tell you that something is wrong. This is usually to lure you out of the car and then rob you.
• If you are using public transport, metered taxis are the best option. Minibuses and buses are generally discouraged, as is sharing taxis with strangers.

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

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

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

• For a stay in Ethiopia, international insurance is important if you do not want to pay the high costs of private healthcare yourself. Public healthcare is affordable, but the quality is probably not what you are looking for. Medical evacuation or repatriation may also be necessary because healthcare in Ethiopia is quite limited.
• So make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries.
• International health insurance for Ethiopia
• International travel insurance for Ethiopia
• International life insurance for Ethiopia
• International income protection insurance for Ethiopia