Medical emergency? Call 912 (SAMU ambulance, free) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Chest pain, signs of stroke, severe breathing difficulty or heavy bleeding need emergency care now. Kigali Clinics is a booking service, not a clinic, and does not give medical advice.
Need to see a general practitioner in Kigali? A GP, sometimes called a family doctor or general doctor, is often the best place to start when you feel unwell, have a new symptom or need help managing a long-term condition. Kigali Clinics helps you find a licensed private clinic with a GP who can see you, in a part of the city that suits you and, where possible, with your insurance.
We do not examine or advise patients ourselves. We find and book the appointment so you can spend your time getting care, not phoning around.
What a GP can help with
GPs see people of all ages with a very wide range of problems. Common reasons to book include:
- New symptoms: fever, cough, stomach pain, headaches, tiredness, joint pain.
- Infections: sore throat, ear infection, urinary symptoms, skin infections.
- Long-term conditions: high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, thyroid problems.
- Medicines: reviewing your medicines or getting a new prescription.
- Tests: blood tests, urine tests and referral for scans when needed.
- Certificates: medical certificates for work, school or travel where the clinic provides them.
- Referrals: to a dermatologist, eye specialist, gynaecologist, cardiologist or other specialist.
GP, specialist or emergency department?
| Situation | Best first step |
|---|---|
| New symptom, not sure what it is | GP appointment |
| Ongoing condition needing review or a prescription | GP appointment |
| Clear specialist need, such as glasses or a mole check | Book the specialist directly |
| Child with fever but alert and drinking | GP or children's doctor |
| Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing problems | Emergency department, call 912 |
| Serious injury or heavy bleeding | Emergency department, call 912 |
Some insurers want a GP referral before they pay for a specialist, so starting with a GP can also save trouble with claims.
Emergency signs you must not wait with
The NHS describes heart attack symptoms that include chest pain that may feel like crushing or squeezing, pain spreading to the arms, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, feeling sick, and sweating. For stroke, the NHS uses the FAST test:
- Face: has one side of the face drooped?
- Arms: can the person lift both arms and keep them there?
- Speech: is their speech slurred or confused?
- Time: time to call for emergency help.
In Kigali, call 912 for the SAMU ambulance service, which the Ministry of Health set up in 2007 and which is free to call. Public hospitals with emergency departments include the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) and King Faisal Hospital. Our guide to hospitals in Kigali lists more.
Making the most of a GP appointment
A typical GP visit is short, so a little preparation helps:
- Write down your main concern and when it started. If you have several issues, put the most important first.
- List your medicines, including anything from a pharmacy, herbal remedies and supplements.
- Bring results and letters from previous tests or hospital visits.
- Bring your insurance card and ID.
- Ask questions before you leave: what is the likely cause, what should I do, what signs mean I should come back sooner?
- Ask about follow-up: when to return and how you will get test results.
Long-term conditions
High blood pressure and diabetes often go unnoticed at first. The World Health Organization says most people with hypertension do not feel any symptoms and that the only way to know is to have your blood pressure checked. A GP can diagnose these conditions, start treatment and review you regularly. If you have not had your blood pressure or blood sugar checked recently, consider a health check-up.
Paying for a GP visit
- RSSB medical scheme. Consultations, laboratory tests and prescribed medicines are on RSSB's list of covered services. RSSB pays 85% and you pay 15% at contracted facilities.
- Private insurance. GP visits are usually part of the outpatient benefit. Check your policy and bring your card.
- Mutuelle de santé. Designed around public health centres and hospitals. Check with RSSB before relying on it at a private clinic.
- Self-pay. Contact us for a current quote.
See our health insurance guide for details.
New to Kigali?
If you have just moved to the city, it helps to find a GP before you need one urgently. A first visit is a chance to:
- register your details and medical history with a clinic close to home or work;
- review any long-term medicines and how to get repeat prescriptions locally;
- ask how the clinic handles test results, follow-up and referrals;
- check which insurers the clinic works with;
- save the clinic's number and the emergency number 912 in your phone.
Bring copies of any important records from your previous doctor, such as recent blood test results, scan reports or hospital letters. A doctor who knows your background can help you more quickly when something does go wrong.
If your doctor recommends rehabilitation after an injury, surgery or for persistent back or neck pain, physiotherapy in Kigali is often the next step.
Book a GP appointment
Use the form on this page, choose "General practitioner (GP)", and describe your concern in a few words, for example "cough and fever for 4 days" or "blood pressure review". Tell us your preferred area, such as Remera, Gisozi, Kicukiro or Nyamirambo, and a date. We come back to you with options.
Frequently asked questions
What is a general practitioner?
A general practitioner, or GP, is a medical doctor who sees patients with all kinds of health problems. A GP can examine you, order tests, prescribe medicines, manage ongoing conditions such as high blood pressure, and refer you to a specialist or hospital when needed.
Should I see a GP or go straight to a specialist?
If you are not sure what is wrong, a GP is usually the best first step. They can sort out many problems directly and know when a specialist is needed. Some insurers also require a GP referral before they pay for a specialist visit.
Can a GP give me a sick note or medical certificate?
Many GPs can provide a medical certificate after examining you, for example for time off work or for a job or school requirement. Tell us in the booking form if you need one, so we can check that the clinic provides it.
What should I bring to a GP appointment?
Bring your ID, insurance card if you have one, a list of your current medicines, any recent test results or hospital letters, and a short note of your symptoms and when they started. This helps the doctor use the appointment time well.
Does RSSB cover GP visits?
RSSB lists medical consultations among the services covered by its medical scheme. RSSB pays 85% and the member pays 15% at accredited facilities contracted with RSSB, which include some private polyclinics and clinics. Check the clinic is contracted before your visit.
When should I go to an emergency department instead?
Go to an emergency department or call 912 for chest pain, signs of stroke such as a drooping face, arm weakness or slurred speech, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, a serious injury, or sudden confusion. These need emergency care, not a clinic appointment.
How much does a GP visit cost in Kigali?
Consultation fees vary between clinics and rise if you need lab tests, an ECG or other investigations on the day. With insurance you usually pay only your share. Contact us for a current quote.