Which maternity hospitals have a NICU?
Gandhi Memorial Hospital, a public hospital, is Ethiopia’s largest maternity hospital. For other needs, our guide to hospitals in Addis Ababa sorts them by specialty.
| Hospital | Area | For the birth and the baby | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemen Maternity and Children | Arat Kilo, behind Tourist Hotel | Labour ward, epidural, caesarean, NICU with ventilators | +251 919 48 44 05 |
| Ethio Tebib General Hospital | Sefere Selam | Obstetrics, NICU, fertility centre (IVF), 24-hour emergency | 9000 |
| MCM, the “Korean hospital” | Gerji | Obstetrics with feto-maternal medicine, NICU, open 24 hours | +251 11 629 54 22 |
| Kadisco General Hospital | Gerji Roba | Obstetrics, paediatrics, 24-hour emergency | +251 11 629 89 02 |
| Girum Hospital | Addis Ketema, near Medhanealem school | Obstetrics, neonatal intensive care | +251 11 275 76 76 |
| St. Paul’s Hospital (public) | Gulele | Teaching hospital, about 900 births a month | +251 11 275 01 25 |
What should you check before your due date?
- Obstetrician
- On site at night and at weekends, or called in from home?
- Caesarean
- Are the theatre and an anaesthetist available 24 hours?
- Newborn
- Is the NICU in the same building, or would the baby be transferred?
- Price
- A written quote for a normal birth and for a caesarean, the deposit, and the insurers accepted.
What should you bring to the hospital?
ID, antenatal card, scans and blood test results (blood group included), insurance card and the deposit the hospital asked for. For the baby: clothes, a hat and nappies.
When should you go straight away?
Call 907 or go to the maternity ward at once, day or night, if you have:
- bleeding from the vagina;
- fits (convulsions);
- a severe headache with blurred vision;
- fever and feeling too weak to get out of bed;
- severe pain in the belly;
- fast or difficult breathing;
- waters breaking or regular contractions: labour has started.
Can a doctor visit after the birth?
Yes. In Addis Ababa, Medyc arranges a home visit by a doctor or a nurse after the birth. A relative abroad can arrange and pay for it.
Your questions, answered
What is the best maternity hospital in Addis Ababa?
There is no official ranking. Choose a hospital with an obstetrician on site at night, a caesarean theatre and a NICU. Hemen, Ethio Tebib and MCM list a NICU: ask each who is on duty at night.
What is the biggest maternity hospital in Addis Ababa?
Gandhi Memorial Hospital, a public hospital, is Ethiopia’s largest maternity hospital. St. Paul’s Hospital, also public, reports about 900 deliveries a month.
How much does it cost to give birth in Addis Ababa?
It depends on the hospital and the type of birth. Ask for a written quote for a normal birth and for a caesarean, the deposit, the daily cost of a NICU stay and the insurers accepted.
Can I get an epidural in Addis Ababa?
Yes, in some hospitals. Hemen offers epidural pain relief in labour. Elsewhere, ask whether an anaesthetist is on site at night.
Sources & further reading
- Hemen Maternity and Children Health: services and address
- Ethio Tebib General Hospital: services
- MCM Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: services
- Kadisco General Hospital
- Girum Hospital: services and contact
- St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Embassy of India in Addis Ababa: Gandhi Memorial Hospital, the largest maternity hospital of Ethiopia
- WHO: Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care, a guide for essential practice (danger signs)
- Ethiopian Red Cross Society: ambulance services (907)
- French Embassy in Ethiopia: emergency numbers, incl. 939 (in French)
- Medyc: doctor home visit in Addis Ababa
- Medyc guide: best hospital in Addis Ababa for your need
- Medyc: hospitals, ambulances and pharmacies in Addis Ababa
This guide explains how to organise care. It does not provide a diagnosis or individual medical advice. How we write our guides
