Doctor, nurse, home blood test or 119: who should you call?
| Option | What for | Prescription? | Price | Who comes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home doctor | A new problem to examine: diagnosis, treatment, prescription | No | Medyc: from 5,000 DJF | A doctor |
| Home nurse | Prescribed care: injection, dressing, stitches out | Usually | Medyc: from 5,000 DJF | A nurse |
| Home sample collection | A blood test or another sample for the lab | Usually | Depends on the tests, total given first | A nurse |
| 119 (SMUR) | An emergency: trouble breathing, chest pain, collapse | No | Free call | The SMUR team, by ambulance |
How do you know which one to call?
- Doctor
- A new symptom or one that will not go away, treatment to review, someone who cannot get out to a clinic.
- Nurse
- A prescription in hand for an injection, a dressing, a blood test or stitches to remove.
- Both
- After a hospital stay, or an elderly parent confined to bed. The doctor examines and prescribes, the nurse comes back for the care.
- Not sure
- Start with the doctor. They examine, then prescribe the care a nurse can carry out.
- 119
- Trouble breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness, sudden confusion. A home visit is booked ahead; it does not replace the SMUR.
How much does a home doctor or nurse cost?
With Medyc, a doctor or nurse home visit starts at 5,000 DJF in Djibouti City. The total depends on the care and your address; medicines and lab tests are extra.
There is no public fee for care at home. For comparison, here are the public fees for the same care given on site, with no travel.
| Care | 2017 public fee, at the facility |
|---|---|
| Consultation at a health centre or polyclinic | 3,000 DJF |
| Emergency department visit, flat fee | 6,000 DJF |
| Simple dressing or stitch removal | 400 DJF |
| Dressing on an infected wound | 500 DJF |
| Injection as an outpatient | 1,000 DJF |
What should you ask before booking?
Ask any home care service these three questions, and keep the answers in writing.
- Who comes
- Doctor, nurse or someone else, with their name and qualification.
- Total price
- Travel and supplies included, confirmed in writing before the visit.
- CNSS
- Covered only if the provider has a CNSS agreement; ask, and keep the receipt.
How do you book a visit with Medyc?
In Djibouti City, Medyc arranges home visits by a doctor or a nurse, and sample collection for lab tests. Ask in the app or on WhatsApp at +253 77 04 12 12: you get the name of who comes, the time and the cost before the visit.
No examination needed? A doctor can also see you by video, from 3,000 DJF.
Your questions, answered
How much does a home doctor visit cost in Djibouti?
With Medyc, from 5,000 DJF in Djibouti City; the total depends on the visit and the address. There is no public fee for a home visit.
Do I need a prescription for a nurse at home?
Usually, yes: for an injection, a blood test or the dressing of a surgical wound. No prescription yet? Get the doctor first.
Can a nurse take a blood test at home?
Yes, with the lab test prescription. Ask whether you need to fast and how the results will reach you.
Can a doctor come to the home at night?
It depends on the service: ask about hours when you book. At night, for anything serious, dial 119 rather than wait.
Can I arrange a home visit for a parent in Djibouti from abroad?
Yes, with their agreement. Give their address and the number of a relative on site who will open the door.
Sources & further reading
- Medyc: doctor home visit in Djibouti City
- Medyc: home nurse in Djibouti City
- Medyc: blood tests and lab samples at home
- Official Journal: Decree 2017-114/PR/MS, Ministry of Health facility fees
- Official Journal: Law 24/AN/14/7e L, universal health insurance (contracted providers)
- CHU de Djibouti: contact and the 119 (SMUR) number
- Medyc: consultation prices in Djibouti
This guide explains how to organise care. It does not provide a diagnosis or individual medical advice. How we write our guides
