Health & Safety
Health:
Before the trip, get vaccinations against typhoid. You may also bring along a mosquito repellant and, to be on the safe side, a course of anti-malarial tablets if you plan to spend long, late evenings touring the city.
Once in Sana’a, as a first rule, avoid drinking tap water, even at the top hotels. The water in the city is chlorinated and fit for consumption by the locals, but may cause an upset stomach in foreigners. Bottled water is available at quite inexpensive prices all around town.
Avoid getting too intimate with animals on the street – rabies is not uncommon. As a precaution, you might want to get rabies shots before you arrive.
When eating on the street, watch out for apparent health hazards that your food is prepared under. If it looks dirty, it probably is. Better have a packet of chips or biscuits than a roadside burger or sandwich. If a vendor tries to persuade you to purchase freshly cut cucumbers or tomatoes from his salad stall, it is advisable to resist the urge, however fresh and clean the vegetables might look.
If things get bad, there are three major hospitals that offer satisfactory service to foreigners. Avoid other smaller clinics and druggists.
1. Saudi German Hospital:
Address: Al-Jeraf District – North Sixty Street, Aljamanah Round
Phone: +9671 313333
Fax: +9671 333900
Email: ceo.san@sghgroup.net, media2.san@sghgroup.net
A fully operational, state-of-the-art, 300 bed hospital, considered to provide the best healthcare to foreigners.
2. Modern German Hospital:
Address: Taiz road
Telephone: 608-888
Another modern hospital, friendly and efficient staff, clean environment. A general visit to the pediatrician is around YER 600.
3. Yemen German Hospital
Address: Hadda Street
Up-to-date hospital, polite and hospitable staff. Satisfactory sanitary conditions.
Safety:
Sana’a is generally safer than other parts of Yemen. Mugging incidents are rarely heard of, even with regard to tourists. What can lead to more serious consequences is if you fail to negotiate the fare for a cab ride before getting in!
Do not drink alcohol or display passionate affection in public – it is looked upon as offensive to the locals. Women should dress modestly, avoiding baring their shoulders and legs.
However enthusiastic or professional a photographer you are, make sure you get express permission before photographing women around the city. The same applies for military installations, government buildings, and police officers. Things can quickly turn unpleasant if you do not.
Be mindful of your step when traversing the unusually cramped staircases of ancient buildings around Sana’a. The risers can be quite high, and the treads barely enough to place one foot. You do not want to sprain an ankle and ruin your vacation!
Crossing a street is no child’s play when you are in Sana’a. The drivers are reckless, even on the major roads. Generally, pedestrian crossings are not followed, so make sure you know how the road system works, or have a local around to guide you across the road.
In the case of an emergency:
Fire Brigade: 191
Accident (traffic): 194
Foreign Affairs: 202544/7
Red Crescent: 203131