< Back Are there any vaccinations I should get or other health precautions to take as I prepare for my move to your city? Before I get sick, what should I know about seeking medical care in your city as an expat? What is the word for "doctor" in the local language? What is the best way to locate a suitable health care provider? Do expats in the area tend to leave the city/area/country to seek medical care? If so, why and where do they go? What is the number to call to summon help in an emergency? List medical/fire/police. What do I do if there's an emergency in the middle of the night—or at another time when my normal doctor/clinic is unavailable? How will I recognize a pharmacy? What is it called in the local language? Is the water safe to drink? Are there any vaccinations I should get or other health precautions to take as I prepare for my move to your city? The following vaccinations are recommended prior to entering the country: All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations Hepatitis A - for all travelers over the age of two Typhoid - for all travelers Polio - for all travelers Japanese encephalitis - for long-term (1 month) travelers to rural areas or travelers who may engage in extensive unprotected outdoor activities in rural areas, especially in the evening, or during shorter trips Hepatitis B - for travelers who will have intimate contact with local residents or potentially need blood transfusions or injections while abroad, especially if visiting for more than six months Rabies - for those at high risk for animal bites, such as veterinarians and animal handlers and for long-term travelers who may have contact with animals and may not have access to medical care Tetanus-diphtheria - for all travelers who have not received an immunization within the last 10 years Measles - for any traveler born after 1956 who does not have either a history of two documented measles immunizations or a blood test showing immunity Varicella (chicken pox) - for any international traveler over one year of age who does not have either a history of documented chicken pox or a blood test showing immunity. Yellow fever - for all travelers arriving from a yellow fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas Additionally, it is advised to get the Covid vaccine and carry your vaccination certificate. At certain airports it is mandatory to produce a negative RT-PCR test to enter India. For more information on requirements or recommendations, please check with your local embassy or consulate. ↑ Top Before I get sick, what should I know about seeking medical care in your city as an expat? The doctors and medical specialists in New Delhi are world class and most of them have studied and practiced abroad. However, in some rural areas, medical facilities do not meet Western standards and the medical care can be very limited. Often, Indian doctors have been trained in the West and do speak good English. Cash payment on the spot is the norm for medical care. Having an insurance policy that covers treatment outside of your home country and with medical evacuation coverage will be extremely valuable and you will be welcomed at any hospital. For more information on medical care, please contact your local consulate or Crown New Delhi. ↑ Top What is the word for "doctor" in the local language? "Doctor" is a universally understood word in Delhi. ↑ Top What is the best way to locate a suitable health care provider? You should be able to find all medical and health facilities in the front of your local telephone book. Also, a recommendation from a work colleague, neighbor, friend or other expat is a good way to find a good physician. Some of the good hospitals are Apollo Hospital, Max and Fortis Hospital etc. If you need further assistance, please contact Crown New Delhi. ↑ Top Do expats in the area tend to leave the city/area/country to seek medical care? If so, why and where do they go? No, most expats stay within the country for their medical care because healthcare, both public and private, are of an extremely high standard in New Delhi. However, some expats choose to go overseas for treatment (particularly those who are expecting a baby) and then there are some who choose to wait for a trip back to their home country to visit their regular doctor. As was previously mentioned, medical practitioners in New Delhi are truly top-notch so leaving the country is not really necessary. ↑ Top What is the number to call to summon help in an emergency? List medical/fire/police. Police 100 Fire 101 Ambulance 102 Directory Enquiry 197 AIIMS (Blood Bank) 26588700 Accident & Trauma 10999 For directory inquiry, you can dial 197; for Just Dial, dial 011- 22222222. ↑ Top What do I do if there's an emergency in the middle of the night—or at another time when my normal doctor/clinic is unavailable? If an emergency occurs in the middle of the night, either call one of the numbers above and wait for an ambulance or have a family member or friend drive you to the closest major hospital in your area. Major hospitals have 24-hour emergency clinics, so identifying the closest 24-hour emergency clinic from where you live is an important task once you have had a chance to settle in. ↑ Top How will I recognize a pharmacy? What is it called in the local language? The pharmacy is usually called a chemist or medical store, and it can be recognized by the red cross sign. All hospitals and clinics will have pharmacies adjoined or have a few shops nearby. Some are day and night chemist shops; others are open only during the daytime. Some medications are available under different names and many prescription drugs are offered over the counter. ↑ Top Is the water safe to drink? No, it is not safe to drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected. Also, do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. It is recommended that you drink only bottled water ↑ Top IMPORTANT NOTE: Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.