Healthcare in Mauritius: Hospitals and Health Insurance
Healthcare in Mauritius
With a population of just under 1.3 million in 2015, Mauritius ranks 156th in the world by population and 180th by total area. Mauritius has no official language, but its vernacular languages are Mauritian Creole, French, English, and Bhojpuri. The currency is the Mauritian rupee.
Mauritius ranks 84th in world health ranking per WHO. In 2014, the total expenditure on health per person was $896, which is 4.8% of the GDP. Mauritian males have a life expectancy at birth of 71 years, and females can expect to live 78 years. There 1.62 physicians per 1,000 people in Mauritius as compared with 2.56 physicians per 1,000 people in the United States
Hospitals in Mauritius
The public primary care network includes 2 mediclinics, 23 area health centers, and 103 community health centers. 100% of the population is located within 3 miles of one of these facilities. Secondary level care is provided by 2 district hospitals and 5 regional hospitals, offering a wide range of services.Tertiary care is provided by 4 specialized hospitals with 980 beds, including a cardiac center (53 beds) offering specialized services in cardiac surgery, invasive cardiology, and neurosurgery; an eye hospital; an ear, nose, and throat hospital; and a chest hospital.
Private facilities (over 600 beds) belong to one of two types: fee-paying private medical and dental care practices and 13 clinics providing primary and specialist services, high-tech diagnostic services,renal dialysis, and cardiac surgery.
Health Insurance in Mauritius
The Ministry of Health and Quality of Life provide comprehensive free healthcare to citizens and permanent residents, funded by taxes revenues. (Each of the 5 regions has its own Health Advisory Board that makes decisions regarding the specific needs and services of that region.) Covered services range from doctor consultations and initial treatment through complex operations, including the cost of medication. There is no compulsory health insurance scheme in place. Private insurance is becoming more popular among employers and citizens.
Travel (International) Health Insurance in Mauritius
Travel, or international, health insurance provides comprehensive medical coverage when traveling outside of one’s home country. Travel health insurance is different from travel insurance, as the latter may provide only emergency coverage but not full medical coverage.
Travelers should check with their health insurance provider, as they may already have an option of international health coverage. If they do not, they can purchase travel health insurance from their home country or the destination country.
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