The IST Clinic is a primary care clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania providing high quality health services
As a result of close communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the IST Clinic has been designated as an official testing site for COVID-19 for travelers via the Ministry of Health (the National Lab). At present, the result will take 48 hours.
For more information, contact us via: covidtraveltesting@istclinic.com
As a result of close communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the IST Clinic has been designated as an official testing site for COVID-19 suspected cases.
This means that the test, consisting of a nasal and throat swab, can be administered at the special COVID-19 facility adjacent to the IST Clinic by Clinic staff. The samples are then sent to a Government lab for analysis. At present, the test results take 48 hours
Testing can NOT be done by appointment (only walk-in). For more information email reception@istclinic.com or call one of the numbers below:
0784-783393 0688-783393 0718-783393 0782-783393
It has also been agreed that COVID-19 positive patients can choose to stay under observation and treatment by the IST Clinic and its staff, either by self-isolation at home under supervision with home visits from IST clinicians, or, in case of more serious symptoms, temporary observation at the designated COVID-19 facility next to the IST Clinic. COVID-19 positive patients will be informed of their treatment and isolation options and will be requested to sign a treatment consent form confirming their choices.
Please download the document below for advice on self-isolating at home.
Read on to see responses from the IST Clinic team to Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19. Download the below document to have these FAQs in PDF form.
Testing for COVID-19 will only be done in discussion with one of the IST Medical Doctors and with the agreement of the patient. The IST Clinic has been officially recognized by the Ministry of Health (MoH) as a testing facility. Testing can, therefore, be done safely at the IST Clinic’s COVID-19 facility. IST Clinic staff will administer the test, which is a swab of the throat and nose. Samples will then be sent to the National Public laboratory for analysis. Results typically take 48 hours. The Clinic will also administer blood tests to check for other possible infections, such as malaria, that require medical care. Testing can only be done by walking-in (no appointments), from Monday until Saturday, 8 AM – 11 AM.
It is important to remember that an estimated 80% of patients with COVID-19 do not develop symptoms that require urgent medical care. The Clinic staff will assess your risk of developing a serious infection, including underlying conditions, and can conduct lab tests to monitor if the infection is developing in a more serious way and to identify any complications. For patients with mild symptoms, we advise self-isolation at home for 10 days. The IST Clinic will monitor your progress through regular phone calls and follow-up visits if necessary. For patients with complications or co-infection with another disease (e.g. malaria), we advise care in the IST Clinic’s special facility, including medical observation, providing an IV drip and treatment for co-infections if necessary. We will check the oxygen saturation levels of COVID-19 patients as that is a reliable indicator of the severity of illness. If oxygen saturation levels are too low, the patient will be given oxygen and monitored for improvement. If a patient requires longer than 1-2 days of medical observation and needs a constant oxygen supply, we will need to refer the patient to Aga Khan Hospital or another hospital.
Please note: The IST Clinic has been in close contact with the Ministry of Health over the past weeks to discuss the best possible testing and treatment options for IST Clinic patients, and following a recent inspection visit by Ministry of Health officials we hope to provide more information soon. The worldwide and Tanzanian COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving and, therefore, it is important to check the IST Clinic website and Facebook page for updates on testing and treatment protocols in Tanzania and the IST Clinic
Fever is a symptom of COVID-19, but also of malaria, dengue and other infections. Malaria and dengue are common in the rainy season and require urgent medical care. If you have a fever, it is important to contact the IST Clinic for a correct diagnosis and necessary treatment.
The IST Clinic is offering house visits for those who are unable to visit the Clinic in person. This service includes a lab technician to take blood tests. Contact the Clinic to arrange a house visit. As addresses can be difficult to locate in Dar es Salaam, it would be appreciated if you can send a car with driver to transport Clinic staff to and from your home.
The IST Clinic is very well prepared and has put the following measures in place:
Advice on how to self-isolate at home can be found at: https://www.istclinic.com/covid-19-advice-on-self-isolating-at-home/
Check the IST Clinic website and Facebook page for updates. You can also contact the IST Clinic by email or phone. A phone consultation with one of the medical doctors can be booked with the reception staff. For a phone consultation, you will be charged a small fee ($20 for members, $30 non-members).
Email: reception@istclinic.com
Telephone: 0784-783393 0688-783393 0718-783393 0782-783393
Telephone: 0784-783393 0688-783393 0718-783393 0782-783393
E-mail: istclinic@istclinic.com
Telephone: 0784-783393 0688-783393 0718-783393 0782-783393
E-mail: reception@istclinic.com
Please note that all normal medical services of the IST Clinic, including laboratory and pharmacy services, will continue within the IST Clinic under strict preventive conditions. All COVID-19 services will be in a separate custom-built facility next to the IST Clinic in order to facilitate ongoing safe routine and emergency treatment within the IST Clinic.
Covid-19 has arrived in Tanzania and the IST Clinic staff, in close cooperation with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and regional and district health authorities , as well as with other Dar es Salaam health care providers are making all the necessary arrangements to distribute up to date information on Covid-19 as well as the consultation and testing services that are available . Please follow these posts on the IST Clinic website. Very soon information will be posted about Covid-19 and the best way to contact the IST Clinic with Covid-19 questions and requests for consultation and testing .
Importantly all Covid-19 suspected persons shall be seen in a separate facility right next the IST Clinic so that routine medical, laboratory, and pharmacy care at the IST Clinic can continue as normal .
It is important to recognize that not all fever is due to Covid-19 and, with the rainy season approaching, that other illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever also need to be considered in case of fever and generalized symptoms.
Ebola has become a recent major health concern in West Africa. Fortunately there has been no spread to east Africa and there are no conformed reports of bola infections in Tanzania. In case of fever or other health symptoms following a recent visit to one of the Ebola affected West African countries please call the clinic in advance and pass on this information so that one of the medical practitioners can assess your risk and advise how to proceed.
The IST Clinic is a primary care clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which provides high quality health services. These services include general practice consultations, psychotherapy, laboratory services, a pharmacy, minor surgery and first aid care, antenatal and child clinics, ultrasound imaging and short term admission facilities.
The various web pages on this site will provide information on the IST Clinic, its services, opening hours and staff.
The site will also keep you informed of relevant health issues in Tanzania and provide health information for residents and visitors to Tanzania. Important new developments and additions to the services of the IST Clinic will also be posted on this site.
The site contains a membership subscription form of the IST Clinic for new patients wishing to make full use of the services that the IST Clinic has to offer.
Also available on this site is a patient personal data (update) form and we request members of the IST Clinic to register any changes to their address, location of residence, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. This will assist the IST Clinic in staying up to date on your personal information and can be important during times of emergency as well as for more effective reporting of test results.
Finally there are e-mails addresses to contact the IST Clinic, in case you need further information or if you wish to pass on information and comments to the IST Clinic staff.
For general inquiries and comments : istclinic@istclinic.com For appointments : reception@istclinic.com For invoice queries: accounts@istclinic.com
We hope you will find this site informative and useful and welcome any comments and suggestions you may have.
On behalf of the staff of the IST Clinic,
Ype Smit MD and Belia Klaassen MD
