Healthcare in Angola

Expats will find healthcare in Angola well below western standards and should make arrangements for overseas medical insurance that covers the cost of emergency evacuation.

Though the nation is investing millions in healthcare reform, and foreign investors are pumping money into the construction of hospitals and health clinics in exchange for oil rights, Angola's system still suffers from massive staff shortages.

Most medical care is found in Luanda, and even here, doctors, nurses, mid-wives and other specialists are scarce. In fact, many health workers are expats from Cuba, enticed by employers to Angola with lucrative salary packages.

Conditions of facilities in the capital city have improved from the late 1980s when poor sanitation, a lack of basic equipment and disruptions in water and electrical services were common, but treatment is still limited, and expats requiring a complicated procedure will need to travel to South Africa or Namibia to seek care.

There does exist adequate care for medical emergencies in Luanda, and there are a few good private clinics with a 24-hour service operated by general practitioners and on-call specialists. Routine operations are usually performed well in these facilities.

Doctors may expect payment in cash up-front, after which expats will need to be sure to seek reimbursement from their insurance company.

Clinics with emergency rooms in Angola

• Clinic Alvalade
• Clinic Clidopa
• Clinic Espirito Santo
• Clinic Medigroup
• Clinic Sagrada Esperança
• Hospital Americo Boa Vida
• Hospital Militar
• Hospital Josina Machel
• Hospital do Prenda

Most of Angola's local pharmacies are concentrated in Luanda, and provide a small supply of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

Expats moving to Angola are advised to bring their own supply of properly labelled drugs, but are of course, advised to see a doctor prior to starting a regimen.

Ambulance Contact for English Speakers
Clinic sagrada Esperança - 912-500 965

Vaccines for Angola

Expats moving to Angola will need to make sure they get a number of vaccinations before entering the country. Polio is still still present in the country, and Malaria is a concern, especially in rural areas.

Recommended vaccines for Angola

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Yellow fever
• Meningococcus
• Polio
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus-diphtheria