Healthcare in Lilongwe

Lilongwe has Malawi's largest public referral hospital plus private clinics and pharmacies — here is how care is organised and what visitors should know.

Where to go

Hospitals and clinics

Kamuzu Central Hospital is the main public referral hospital for the Central Region and one of the largest in Malawi. Alongside it, a number of private hospitals and clinics offer faster service and are the usual first stop for visitors and expatriates. Standards vary; serious cases are sometimes referred abroad, so comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly advised.

Practical health

Pharmacies and emergencies

Pharmacies are found across Old Town, City Centre and the malls, generally well stocked with common medicines — bring a supply of anything specialised. Malaria is present, so take prophylaxis and use repellent. For emergencies, private clinics and hospital numbers are more reliable than a single centralised line; keep your accommodation's recommended contacts to hand.

In this section

Healthcare pages

Detailed health and medical information.