For minor complaints, simply consult the nearest pharmacy ; pharmacists can prescribe a wide range of drugs, including antibiotics. There are a number of 24-hour pharmacies, including: Al-Ezabi, 1 Sharia Ahmed Taysir, Heliopolis (tel 415-3409); As-Salam International Hospital, Ma'adi Seif, 76 Sharia Qasr el-Aini, Garden City (tel 354-2678).

 

There are English- or French-speaking private doctors all over Cairo. A consultation normally costs £E40-50, excluding drugs. Some practices that are used to foreign patients include: Dr Naguib Badir at the Anglo-American Hospital, next to the Cairo Tower on Gezira Island (general practice; tel 340-6162); Dr Doss or Dr Emad Rushdi, Nile Hilton Hotel clinic (tel 578-0444); Dr Zoheir Farid, 16 Abdel Khaliq Sarwat (tropical medicine; tel 392-5023).

Hospitals require a cash deposit of at least £E150 (it can go as high as £E1000) to cover the cost of treatment; medical insurance is not accepted (though you can reclaim expenses later). The following are well equipped and used to foreigners: Anglo-American Hospital (see above for address; tel 341-8630); As-Salam International Hospital, on the Corniche to Ma'adi (tel 363-8050 or 363-4196 or 363-8424); Cairo Medical Centre, on Sharia Higaz, by the Andalus restaurant, just off Midan Roxi, Heliopolis (tel 258-1206 or 258-0566). For any of these hospitals, take a taxi if you can; otherwise use the private As-Salam ambulance service (same phone numbers as the hospital). Public ambulances offer free transport to whichever hospital is the nearest: call 123.

There are two places that provide vaccinations against cholera, yellow fever and other diseases. The Egyptian Organization for Biological Products and Vaccines, at 51 Sharia Wazart el-Zaraa (tel 348-3205; daily 24hr), 100m north of the 6th October Bridge/Agricultural Museum intersection - take the first right inside the gate, then go round the side of the building on the left and up the stairs. It has English-speaking doctors and vaccines against cholera (£E6.65 for 10 doses), yellow fever (£E30.75) and meningitis (£E15.50), with a £E5 charge for the certificate. The Public Health Vaccination Centre (daily except Fri 10am-1pm & 6-7.30pm), at the rear of the lobby of the Hotel Continental-Savoy on Midan Opera, is highly efficient, with no red tape or fuss. They do cholera (£E1.50) and yellow fever, but not meningitis. If you need a dentist , try Dr Amr Waguih (tel 310-8574) whose clinic is in Mohandiseen.