Seeing a general practitioner in Dakar: a practical guide

Seeing a general practitioner in Dakar usually means choosing between a private medical practice, a public neighborhood health centre, or a home visit or video consultation. The right choice depends on your budget, how urgent things are and what cover you have. To compare options, browse our list of clinics and health centres in Dakar.

When a GP is the right first stop

In Senegal, the GP (médecin généraliste) is the entry point to care. Go to one for a lingering fever, a cough, a medical certificate, a check-up or follow-up of a chronic condition. If needed, the GP will refer you to a specialist.

In the rainy season, roughly July to October, fevers and malaria rise: never ignore a fever, especially in a child. In a life-threatening emergency, call SAMU on 1515 or the fire brigade on 18 rather than heading to a practice.

Private practice or public health centre?

Private practices are common in Plateau, Point E, Mermoz, Sacré-Cœur, Almadies and Ngor. Waits are usually shorter and you can often book ahead. Expect roughly 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA for a GP visit, sometimes more in upmarket areas or in the evening.

Public health centres exist in every district, from HLM and Liberté 6 to Parcelles Assainies, Pikine, Guédiawaye, Keur Massar and Rufisque. Fees are much lower, often just a few thousand CFA francs for the consultation ticket. Mornings can be busy, but many centres have a lab and a pharmacy on site.

The local health centre is the cheapest route for families, while insured expats often find claims easier with a private practice.

Appointments, walk-ins and what to bring

Many private practices take bookings by phone or messaging app, yet also see walk-in patients in order of arrival. Public centres mostly work on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early, ideally at opening time.

Bring along:

• an ID card or passport;
• your health record or recent test results;
• a list of any medicines you already take;
• your mutuelle, IPM or insurance card;
• some cash, since mobile payment is not accepted everywhere.

Traffic on the VDN and towards Plateau can double travel times at rush hour, so leave plenty of margin.

Prescriptions, pharmacies, home visits and teleconsultation

You leave with a prescription, sometimes a lab request. Pharmacies are everywhere, and duty pharmacies (pharmacies de garde) cover nights and weekends. Never take medication without medical advice, and keep prescriptions for reimbursement.

If you cannot get out, several services offer doctor home visits in Dakar, handy for elderly relatives or a feverish toddler. They cost more than a practice visit, often 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA depending on time and distance. Teleconsultation is also growing for a first opinion or a repeat prescription.

Insurance, IPM and mutuelles

Salaried workers are often covered by an IPM, a company health scheme that pays part of the bill. Community health mutuelles, backed by the national universal health coverage programme, let families and self-employed people get reimbursed at low cost. Expats and diaspora visitors should check before travelling that their international policy covers care in Senegal, and always ask for an itemised invoice.

This guide is for information only: for any question about your health, consult a healthcare professional.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• Cabinet Medical Fadilate : medical practice in Dakar.
• Cabinet médical Hikma : medical practice in HLM Maristes.
• Centre de Santé HLM 5 : health centre in HLM 5.
• Centre de Santé des Maristes Moussa Kane : health centre in Hann Maristes.
• Centre De Santé Gaspard Kamara : health centre in Amitié 1.

To find more, see all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

• Practical guide: SOS numbers, transport and everyday tips.
• Route planner to reach your practice.
• Need a more specialised opinion? Read our guide to finding a medical specialist in Dakar.
• Prefer to stay home? See our article on home doctor visits and teleconsultation in Dakar.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a GP consultation cost in Dakar?

A few thousand CFA francs at a public health centre, and roughly 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA at a private practice, depending on the neighborhood and time of day.

Do I need an appointment to see a GP?

Not always: many practices and most health centres see patients without an appointment, in order of arrival. Booking ahead at a private practice can cut your waiting time.

What should I do in an emergency at night in Dakar?

In a life-threatening emergency, call SAMU on 1515 or the fire brigade on 18. For less serious problems, a home visit or a hospital emergency department are options, and you should always consult a healthcare professional.