Medical Emergencies

The major hotels have resident doctors who can prescribe medicine or, in serious cases, arrange for specialists and hospitals, while even the cheapest hotels can get someone in an emergency. Telephone directories list doctors according to specialization. Ask your embassy for a list of physicians and pharmacists best able to assist foreigners. Several major hospitals provide 24-hr, service, including the Coptic Hospital (175 Ramses St., Dokki; tel. 90 42 13), the Anglo-American Hospital (3 Zohria Garden St., Zamalek; tel. 340 6162/3/4/5), and the As-Salam International Hospital (Comiche an-Nil, Maadi; tel. 363 8050, fax 362 3500).

Pharmacies (identifiable by the standard snake-on-a-staff symbol for medicine) in the big cities carry most U.S. and European drugs; Egypt is more relaxed about prescriptions than the U.S. Condoms are also available over the counter at these institutions (except in the most conservative areas like Qena and Sohag)-ask for kabout or ‘azil. Pharmacists are considered doctors in Egypt, and are therefore authorized to give injections. Pharmacies are generally open 9am-lpm and 4-8pm (often 10pm in summer), though some are open 24 hrs. Dial 123 for emergencies. (See Health in Essentials and Practical Information in city sections for more information.)