Lomé's Medical Minefield: Finding an English Doc When Your Gut Explodes
so here i am, digital nomad life in lomé, and bam - mystery stomach ache. not the kind that passes with a pepto, the kind that makes you google "urgent care in lomé" at 3 am. and let me tell you, the results are... sparse. mostly french, which i get, but my french is limited to asking for croissants and directions to the beach. so, after a few days of self-diagnosing with webmd (big mistake), i finally dragged myself to find help.
real talk: lomé is relatively safe, but petty crime like phone snatching happens, especially near the marché des artisans. rent? i’m paying about 350 a month for a decent studio in the center, which ain’t bad. but healthcare? that’s a whole other beast. the job market here is growing, especially in tech and trade, but english-speaking doctors? that’s like finding a vegan taco truck in texas - rare.
the weather lately? think of a hot, damp hug that never lets go. it’s the kind of heat that makes you sweat before you even step outside. and if you need a break, accra’s a quick hop over the border (about 45 minutes by air), or if you’re feeling adventurous, cotonou in benin is a few hours drive. but when you’re sick, the last thing you want is a flight.
now, the real juice - what people are saying. overheard at a café:
> "heard the clinic near the beach lost some dude’s blood test results. twice. just go to the private hospital, even if it costs more. at least they speak english and won't lose your insides."
> "the doctor at the international hospital? total legend. saved my friend from a bad case of malaria. but he’s booked solid. call a week ahead. and bring cash. everything’s cash."
so i ended up at the international hospital, lomé medical center. pricey? yeah. about 150 bucks for a consultation. but the doc spoke fluent english, didn’t rush me, and actually listened. also, they have an online appointment system which is a lifesaver. you can check them out on TripAdvisor - mixed reviews, but the english is worth it.
but if you’re on a budget, i also heard about a clinic near the university. cheaper, but you might need a translator. i didn’t try it, but a local i met at a co-working space warned me:
> "the university clinic? they’re good for basic stuff, but if you need anything serious, go private. one time a friend got prescribed antibiotics for a broken bone. true story."
another resource? the r/Lomé subreddit - surprisingly active, and someone posted about a new clinic that offers english services. also, check out Yelp for more reviews, but remember, the expat community here is small, so take everything with a grain of salt.
long story short: if you’re a digital nomad in lomé and need a doc who speaks english, bite the bullet and go to the private hospital. it’s expensive, but it’s worth not dying of a misdiagnosed tropical disease. or, you know, pack a good travel insurance and hope for the best.
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