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Hospitals in Cairo


I've had the unfortunate experience of having to go to the emergency room in Cairo. Below is some advice on going to hospitals in Egypt. There are basically three main hospitals that everyone recommends expats go to:

Al Salam International Hospital in Maadi 
Dar El Fouad in October 6th
International Medical Center on Ismailia Road

The Al Salam International Hosptial is the most widely recommended. From my experience at that hosptial the doctors are very competent. However, the facilities are very old and navigating the hosptial can be confusing. Also, the traffic is so bad around the hospital that I doubt you would get into the emergency room quickly if you called an ambulance. 

If you have to go to the hospital, here are a few recommendations that should make your experience easier. 
-Plan ahead. Put a card in your wallet with the name and phone number of the hospital you want to be taken to. 
-Do not call the Egyptian emergency numbers. It will be faster if you provide your own transportation to the hosptial. However, if you do need an ambulance it is best to call the hospital directly and ask for one. 
-Bring money, you will not receive treatment without paying. Insurance cards are often ignored. 
-Ask for a hospital coodinator. These three hospitals have English speaking coodinators that can help you navigate the system and ensure you see doctors in a timely manner.
-If you have to stay the night, bring your own pajamas, towel and soap. Hospitals do not provide these items. 

It is best to plan ahead. If you need additional help planning an emergency medical plan, the Community Services Association also offers medical planning workshops and advice. 


Article written by nmartin
Last update on 2012-06-01 12:48:32
Guide section: Health care

 

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Comments


  • I just finsihed the Joint Commission Accreditation of Al Salam Hospital; if you haven't been there in a year; you won't recognize it.

    The Joint Commission Standards www.jcaho.org are very strict--US based organization-- and Al Salam scored 99.4% on their accreditation.

    The physicians I met at Al Salam in the 15 month project are some of the most copetent I have met in my career, especially intensive care.

    Al Salam does provide towels and soap.

    I guess the true test is would I trust them with my family, and yes I would.

    Mark Bradford, American from Louisiana living in UAE soon in Cairo
    By MLB4861 2010-07-30, 18h05
      Reply  
    • Well how come my husband just came out of ICU there, where the matresses were not long enough for the bed and they stuffed packets of disposable baby nappies at the end to make up the space?

      How come they didn't wash him in the six days he was there and when he got desperate and decided to shower himself and asked for a towel it took 8 hours to get one?

      How come when they did an endoscopy they broke his tooth and then claimed they knew nothing about it, but proceeded to do an x-ray because they worried it might have entered his lungs and then they charged him for the x-ray.

      How come a patient with a severe bile duct stricture is served a steak after he hasn't eaten for 38 hours. Or half a chicken after 24 hours without food?

      How come in an IC unit that should be manned 24 hours, a person gets money stolen out of their wallet?

      If it is as good as you say it is and the very strict Joint Commission Standards organisation said they scored a 99.4% on their accreditation, then how come all these things happened just last week (Aug 30 - Sept 5 2012), and then they proceeded to charge him double and triple the western world prices?

      I wouldn't trust them with my dog.
      By saudison 2012-09-05, 17h01
        Reply  
    • Loooool. So eloquently written and very accurate. They are due for JCI re-accreditation July 2013 :)
      By balibelli 2012-10-10, 07h37
        Reply  
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