Where to go when you need a doctor after midnight in Dubai
Medical problems do not keep a schedule; they may occur while you are at work, at home, or in the middle of the night. But just as you thought that your injury occurred at the most impractical time, there is always some doctor available in town.
For emergency cases, there are several options and the doors will never close. Think of a heart attack, a car crash, or a severe burn; there is no doctor that will show you the door.
But what if you have a minor problem big enough to keep you worried through the night?
Your child has a fever, you have an eye infection that does not let you sleep, or your sugar levels have gone up way too high. These are classified as non-emergency cases, but could still get treatment if finding the right place.
As every round-the-clock facility has its different specialists, it is important to know where to go when rushing out. The following are the healthcare facilities that can be attended 24/7, with the conditions explained.
Emergency care
Most prominent among the emergency services provided in the emirate are the government hospitals. All three hospitals –Rashid Hospital, Latifa Hospital and Dubai Hospital - have an emergency department. However, all have different specialisations, so it is important to know where to go before you leave home in a rush.
Rashid Hospital hosts the Trauma Center, and any ambulance rushing away from a traffic accident will probably bring the patient to this center. Cervical cases, or other medical cases are also treated here.
In Dubai Hospital, the emergency section specialises in ENT-related cases, ophthalmology, or urology, clarified the hospital. When a patient comes to Rashid Hospital with an eye problem, he will be sent to Dubai Hospital.
When having a pediatric emergency case, Latifa Hospital is the hospital to visit, just as it specialises in gynecology and obstetrics. Children up to 12 years old including medical and non-trauma cases, and women with acute pregnancy or gynecology-related problems will find in this hospital the right care.
There are two public health clinics that provide emergency care round-the clock: Nadd al Hamar and Barsha Clinic.
Emergency care in a private hospital works out a little different. In general, the department is run by an emergency doctor, who has access to several specialists if needed.
In Welcare, a patient coming in through the emergency section after midnight will be seen by a general practitioner, explains the hospital. If there is an urgent need for a specialist at that time an on-call doctor can be contacted and will rush to the hospital.
The same counts for American Hospital. “We do not have specialists after midnight, but we have an emergency doctor. He can provide treatment to a certain point, and if a specialist is needed (s)he will be contacted, explains the hospital.
Non-emergency care
Because the emergency section is one of the few places a patient can go after midnight, the department usually receives an abundance of non-emergent cases. Mostly, these cases can be addressed.
The general practitioner will mostly be able to attend minor cases. If a specialist is needed and the case is non-emergent, the patient might be asked to come back next day, explained American Hospital.
The government hospitals, too, do not find a problem in dealing with minor cases, but re-direct the patient to the walk-in clinic, for which a fee is charged.
Whereas emergency care is provided free, a referral to the walk-in clinic will be charged, explained the emergency contact line. A walk-in clinic is available round-the-clock at Rashid Hospital and Dubai Hospital.
If you do not feel comfortable with the idea of an emergency unit but do feel that you need medical attention, there are a couple of round-the clock walk-in clinics in town.
Dubai London Clinic provides primary care at all times in its 24/7 walk-in clinic and says to be competently equipped to treat chronic ailments as well as conditions that need immediate attention. Among the cases treated here are ENT problems, allergies, common internal conditions, minor wounds, or upon request vaccinations and pregnancy tests.
Similar to this clinic is the walk-in clinic of Emirates Hospital, which receives patients round-the-clock. “We do not have an emergency section, but we do receive patients for minor cases 24/7. If a specialist is needed, we will send the patient to a hospital, explained the clin
