HEALTH INFORMATION:

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Somalia are extremely limited. Travelers should carry personal supplies of medications with them.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: HAFZA urges visitors to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside acceptable countries unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Normal country Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside their own country. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

Malaria is endemic in many areas. There have been outbreaks of cholera in Mogadishu, Kismayo in the south, and Puntland in the northeast.

Travelers to Somalia should take malaria prophylaxis. P. falciparum malaria, the serious and sometimes fatal strain in Somalia, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine. Because travelers to Somalia are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam^TM), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone^TM).

HAFZA’S COMMENTS

HAFZA during the initial commencement of each free zone area will arrange for its own medical clinics and/or hospital/s, and then continuing.  All employees will be provided with suitable insurance for evacuation to Dubai or elsewhere should it be deemed necessary by local HAFZA doctors.

All nurses will be commissioned from trained staff; mostly from the Philippines.  All will be accredited under guidelines laid down by the US, British and/or Australian authorities.