🇸🇴 Somalia Healthcare Guide
Healthcare infrastructure across Somalia is severely limited, with Mogadishu's Erdogan Hospital (Turkish-built) and a small number of NGO-supported facilities representing the best available care. Outside Mogadishu, Hargeisa in Somaliland has somewhat better healthcare stability than the south. Carrying a comprehensive personal medical kit with your full medication supply, along with having your medical summary saved in Somali or Arabic and accessible offline, means you can share your history immediately at whichever facility you reach — whether that's an NGO clinic in the south or a hospital in Hargeisa.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: limited
- Average GP visit: $15 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: high
Healthcare overview
Healthcare infrastructure in Somalia is severely limited outside Mogadishu, and fragmented even within the capital due to decades of conflict. Mogadishu has a small number of private clinics and some NGO-operated facilities providing basic care. Somaliland (Hargeisa) has relatively more stable facilities. Puntland and southern regions outside Mogadishu have minimal reliable care. Having your health summary saved and accessible offline is essential—internet connectivity is unreliable across most of the country.
Somaliland stability
Hargeisa (Somaliland) has more reliable access to basic healthcare than Mogadishu or southern Somalia. If travelling in the north, this is the functional reference point.
Evacuation as baseline plan
For any condition beyond very minor care, medical evacuation to Nairobi (Kenya) should be treated as the baseline plan, not a last resort.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Cholera
- Rabies
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Mogadishu and Hargeisa have pharmacies, but stock is inconsistent and supply chains are unreliable outside the capital. Counterfeit medications are a risk. Bring an adequate supply of any regular medications from home. Having your medication list saved in English with generic names gives you the best chance of matching equivalents if sourcing becomes necessary.
Bring all regular medications
Supply chain reliability in Somalia cannot be assumed. Carry sufficient supply from home and have your list ready for customs checks.
Tips for travellers
Nairobi is the established medical evacuation hub for Somalia, with good private hospital facilities and direct air links. For any serious condition, having your records saved and shareable means Nairobi’s receiving facilities can review your history in advance and prepare appropriately rather than starting a full intake assessment on arrival.
Nairobi as evacuation hub
Nairobi is the functional medical evacuation destination from all parts of Somalia, with Aga Khan Hospital and Nairobi Hospital providing reliable specialist care.