In certain areas in the city of Maputo, primarily near the presidential residence and offices, pedestrian traffic is prohibited. Government facilities should not be photographed without permission. Responsibility for crime prevention rests with a national police force that is poorly trained, poorly paid, and inadequately equipped to prevent or respond to criminal acts. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general.
Medical facilities are rudimentary, and many medicines are unavailable.
Maputo's Sommerschield Clinic can provide general, non-emergency services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, but usually do accept credit cards. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.