Maternity CareSince this is one area that many people have the most worries about, we have included information about different options. State System Comprehensive ante-natal care is available in the government clinics, and delivery is usually in the Al Wasl Hospital. You may be also be given the option of attending ante-natal clinics at the Al Wasl. As in other countries, you may find that there are long waits during these visits - again, ask around for tips to get round this problem. You may find that you will be seen be different doctors during your pregnancy. Charges are with Govt Medical card 50 dhs per visit for ante-natal check-ups; tests/scans are free, as is delivery, without the card 200 dhs per visit so, get the card, it costs Dhs 300. If there is availability, you can opt for a private room at the hospital, which costs Dhs 300 per day, with 1500 deposit . The Dhs 300 per day goes on a 24 hour clock. 24 hrs and 1 minute after your check in time, you pay for the next day. The Public Room is free. To register the first time, you need to go to the Al Wasl Hospital or Al Maktoum Hospital and ask for an ante-natal appointment. You may be sent to a smaller clinic for our check ups after your initial visit to Al Wasl. 1. Your health card 2. A copy of your passport and your husband’s passport 3. A copy of your marriage certificate 4. Your electricity bill 5. Fee - Dhs50 There is a semi-private system available within the state system. Under this, you pay a flat rate of Dhs1,000 plus Dhs50 per visit plus Dhs300 per scan (all approx prices). Other tests are free. The advantage of this is that you can see a consultant in the afternoon at the Rashid Hospital by appointment, thus cutting down waiting time, and you see the same consultant each time. Ring the Rashid Hospital (tel: 3374000) in the afternoons and ask for Dr Mary John's private clinic, which is open from 17:00-19:30 on weekdays. The clinic's phone extension is 2280. Private Maternity Care Many gynaecologists in Dubai provide ante-natal
care, and delivery can take place in the two
private hospitals mentioned above. In this case,
the same doctor throughout, who will also deliver the baby, will see you. If you choose, you can have private ant-natal
care but delivery can take place in the Al Wasl
Hospital. To do this you should really have booked
in by attending one ante-natal clinic in the state system.
Some people, however, just turn up at the Al Wasl when they
are in labour, without registering at all. They are unlikely to turn you away, but it’s advisable to have registered
beforehand. Most practices offer a maternity ‘package’, which works out cheaper than paying per visit (note that extra test and scans can be very expensive). The hospitals also offer a package that includes ante-natal, delivery and post-natal charges, e.g. the Al Zahra charges Dhs9,000 for a first pregnancy. Again, note that the cost of these can rise dramatically in the event of any complications, and there are other many hidden extras such as medicines, food, telephone calls etc. The General Medical Centre runs a ‘Parenting Programme’. This program provides Pre and Post Natal support. For more information on this type of service contact Bridget Roache on 3495959 or fax her on 3495634.
Birth Certificates After the official one is translated into English
you are told you need to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check this, as
for example, Canadians and Japanese need not go to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
This page was last updated by Leigh Butler on August 28, 2002
|