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Expat Exchange - Health Care in Addis Ababa 2024
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Health Care in Addis Ababa

By Betsy Burlingame

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Summary: Health Care in Addis Ababa: Locate providers, hospitals, and medical centers to find the best health services available for expats and nomads.

The healthcare system in Addis Ababa is a mix of public and private healthcare. The public healthcare system is called the Ethiopian Health Insurance Agency (EHIA) and is used by both locals and foreigners. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Addis Ababa for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Public hospitals in Addis Ababa are often crowded and understaffed, but they are free or low-cost and provide basic medical care. Foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Ethiopia. However, many expats prefer to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Private hospitals in Addis Ababa are more expensive but offer better facilities and services.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Addis Ababa

There are several recommended clinics and hospitals in Addis Ababa for expats. These include:

  • Black Lion Hospital: This is a public hospital located in the center of Addis Ababa. It is the largest hospital in Ethiopia and provides a wide range of medical services.
  • St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College: This is a private hospital located in the Bole area of Addis Ababa. It specializes in cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics.
  • Yekatit 12 Hospital: This is a public hospital located in the Piazza area of Addis Ababa. It specializes in obstetrics and gynecology.

In an emergency, expats in Addis Ababa typically go to the Black Lion Hospital or St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College. These hospitals are located approximately 10-15 minutes away by car from the center of Addis Ababa.

Emergency Services in Addis Ababa

There are ambulance services in Addis Ababa. You can call for an ambulance by dialing 991. Ambulances usually come quickly, but there can be delays sometimes.

Health Insurance Companies in Addis Ababa

The most popular private health insurers in Addis Ababa are Ethiopian Insurance Corporation, Ethiopian Reinsurance Company, and Ethiopian Insurance Company. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies or specialized expat health insurance providers.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

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