Tanzania

How the Medical system works in Tanzania

Tanzania is a resource strained country with a weak healthcare system which is challenged by high maternal mortality, child mortality, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, and malaria. Tanzania’s population also has some of the lowest rates of access to health personnel in the world. Over 60% of Tanzania healthcare facilities are run by the government with the rest being either faith-based or private.

Visiting a doctor in Tanzania

To help ensure you have a direct pay experience, especially due to the COVID-19 situation, it’s helpful to request a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) for your appointment so that your provider has all relevant details about your coverage at the time of your visit.

Vaccinations in Tanzania

Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although Tanzania typically only requires yellow fever shots for those traveling from an endemic country, there are occasional reports of officials requiring yellow fever shots from all foreign travelers.

Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers arriving from, or having transited through, countries where yellow fever is endemic. Direct arrivals from non-endemic countries, including all countries in Europe and North America, are usually not required to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides additional information about recommended vaccines and medications for travelers going to Tanzania. The CDC notes there are reports that unless a traveler has a medical exemption letter from a physician, some immigration officials require evidence of the vaccine for entry in Tanzania – particularly entry via Zanzibar – from all travelers. Travelers with neither the shot nor an exemption letter are usually allowed entry and directed to a health officer to obtain the vaccine. The CDC recommends that travelers staying for an extended time or those who will be heavily exposed to mosquitoes consider obtaining the vaccination before visiting Tanzania.