How to find pediatrician in Cairo?

It's really frightening, when your child falls ill. Moreover, while you are settling down in a new country and you haven't chosen a pediatrician yet. Fortunately enough, there are plenty of options in Cairo. Any time, any day, any place.

There are governmental places and private ones. I will be talking about the private ones, as for me, as a foreigner, the governmental ones are not the most suitable option. I encourage you to do the same, if possible of course.

It is upon you to choose, which doctor you want to visit, as you pay for the visit in cash. Unless you have any sort of an insurance, which restricts you to a certain "doctor registry", that are covered by this insurance. You don't have to choose a pediatrician located nearest to your home either. A lot of moms try several doctors, all over the city, till they find the one they trust. There is a Facebook group called "Cairo moms for natural parenting" which encourages natural approaches when it comes to rising a child. Moms often recommend good doctors to each other there, for instance.

"AM Doctor"

There are doctors, whom you can visit starting from 8 o'clock in the morning till afternoon, around 4 o'clock. These pediatricians have their own practice and this is where they work most of the time. You have to call for an appointment, but if you walk in with a feverish child without an appointment, they will not refuse you. The fees go from 100 to around 300 Egp (5- 15 Euro) per visit. Follow up visit is usually free of charge, if the paper from the first visit is presented. Please confirm the exact conditions with the doctor or at the reception.

"PM Doctor"

The second type of clinics are the ones, which open in the afternoon, around 7pm, and work till late night. These doctors most probably work in the hospital during the day and run their own private practice at night. It was shocking to see a waiting room full of kids at 9 PM at first. But giving it a second thought, I think it's really convenient to have a place to go in late hours, as the symptoms usually get worse at night. The fees also go from 100 to 400 EGP per visit. Follow up visit is free of charge, when receipt from the first visit is presented. Verify this info with the doctor. 

Children's Hospital

Another option is to go to a children's hospital. These places are opened 24/7. I personally go to Tabarak hospital in Heliopolis, as it is the closest place for me.  Unfortunately, we have had an emergency in the middle of the night before and I was glad to know where to go. Their fee is 120 EGP per visit and the follow up visit is free of charge, if you present the paper you were given at the initial visit.

Home Visit

If your child experiences a high fever or you are too worried to take him or her out, there is an option to call a pediatrician, who comes over to your house. There is a company called TABIBI, providing this kind of service, for both, children and adults. A doctor is sent over to your house. While on his way,  he will instruct you over the phone what to do, to help your child feel better. The fee for a home visit is 500 EGP (around 25 Euro). I haven't tried this service myself, but I'm mentioning it here, because I know people who did and they were satisfied.

Pharmacy

If you don't need to see a doctor, but want to get a medication, you can order it from a pharmacy at any time and have it delivered to your home literally 24/7.  There is no need to have a prescription from the doctor to get medicine in Egypt, even for antibiotics. But please be careful, because majority of people, who work at the counter in pharmacies, are not actual pharmacists. Therefore, they cannot advise you properly on what to buy and what not to. I personaly go for this option in case, I need to order medicine, that we have tried before and know what I'm doing. Like for example antihistamine for alergies etc.

Hope this helps.  Have a good one and TTYL. 

{jcomments off}