Tanzania’s top public hospitals, Muhimbili National Hospital, the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) and the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), say they are ready for AFCON 2027, and CAF inspectors have assessed medical preparations in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. Before you travel, get travel health insurance and check whether you need a yellow fever certificate. Fans coming from or through Kenya and Uganda usually do. Also speak to a doctor about malaria prevention.
Tanzania expects more than 1.5 million international and regional visitors around AFCON 2027, which runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027. Most fans will never need a doctor, but knowing where to go and what to prepare makes the trip safer and less stressful. This guide covers how Tanzania is preparing, the main hospitals in each host city, and the health steps to take before you travel.
How Tanzania is preparing its health system
- CAF inspection: a CAF team assessed medical preparations in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. According to the hospitals, inspectors were satisfied with the facilities and emergency response capacity.
- Sports injuries: MOI says it has more than 80 consultant doctors across orthopaedics, neurology and neurosurgery, a specialist sports medicine team, two MRI and two CT scanners, and 25 VIP-standard private rooms for visiting teams and officials.
- Heart emergencies: JKCI is renovating its intensive care unit with new equipment, and its director, Dr Peter Kisenge, has described plans for emergency health points at stadiums linked to hospitals by ambulance.
- Emergency medicine training: the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) has increased enrolment in emergency medicine and is expanding paramedic training.
- Government readiness: Deputy Minister for Health Florence Samizi has said the health sector is fully prepared to deliver medical services to visiting athletes and fans.
“We are fully prepared,” said MOI Communications Manager Patrick Mvungi.
Main hospitals in each host city
These are major, well-known hospitals. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital and ask your hotel for help.
Dar es Salaam
- Muhimbili National Hospital: Tanzania’s national referral hospital
- Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI): injuries, fractures, head and spine trauma, sports medicine
- Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI): heart care and cardiac emergencies
Arusha
- Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC)
- Selian Hospital: offers visitor registration and consultations using a facial-recognition system
- Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital
Zanzibar
- Mnazi Mmoja Hospital: Zanzibar’s main referral hospital, in Zanzibar City
Private hospitals and clinics in all three cities offer faster outpatient care for visitors. Most expect payment or insurance details up front, so carry your insurance card and some cash.
Before you travel: your health checklist
1. Yellow fever certificate
Tanzania requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever risk, or after a transit of 12 hours or more in one. Kenya and Uganda are on that list. That matters for AFCON 2027, because many fans will travel between the three host countries. The vaccine should be given at least 10 days before arrival. Travellers without a certificate may be refused entry, or vaccinated at the border and placed under health observation. Check the latest rules with your airline or embassy before you fly.
2. Malaria prevention
Malaria is present in Tanzania, including the coast and Zanzibar. See a doctor or travel clinic 4β6 weeks before your trip to discuss prevention. Use insect repellent, sleep under a mosquito net where provided, and wear long sleeves in the evening. If you get a fever during or after your trip, get tested quickly.
3. Travel health insurance
Buy insurance that covers hospital treatment and medical evacuation. A private hospital stay without insurance can be very expensive.
4. Routine vaccines and medicines
Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, and ask a travel clinic which travel vaccines are recommended for you. If you take regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip in its original packaging, with a copy of your prescription.
Staying healthy on match days
- Drink plenty of water. June and July are the cooler, drier months, but stadium days are long. Drink bottled or treated water.
- Use sun protection. Use sunscreen and wear a cap for afternoon kick-offs and fan zones.
- Pack a jacket for Arusha. Evenings there can drop to around 15Β°C.
- Eat safely. Choose busy food stalls with freshly cooked food, and wash or sanitise your hands.
- Know where first aid is. Find the first-aid point when you enter the stadium, and agree on a meeting point with your group.
In an emergency
- Call 112 for emergency services in Tanzania.
- Ask your hotel or host. They usually know the fastest route to the nearest good hospital.
- Save your insurance emergency number, your embassy’s number, and the address of your accommodation on your phone.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for AFCON 2027 in Tanzania?
Only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk, or have a transit of 12 hours or more in one. Kenya and Uganda are on the list, so fans travelling between the host countries will usually need a certificate. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before arrival.
Which hospitals are ready for AFCON 2027 in Tanzania?
Muhimbili National Hospital, the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) and the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam have said they are ready. CAF inspectors also assessed medical preparations in Zanzibar and Arusha.
Is there malaria in Tanzania during AFCON 2027?
Malaria is present in Tanzania all year, including the coast and Zanzibar. Speak to a doctor or travel clinic about prevention before you travel, and use mosquito repellent and nets.
What is the emergency number in Tanzania?
Call 112 for emergency services in Tanzania.
This guide is general travel information, not medical advice. Always speak to a doctor or travel clinic about your own health needs before you travel.
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