In an emergency
Rescue 1122 — dial 1122 from any phone in Pakistan. This is the national emergency ambulance service and it operates in Skardu.
For anything serious, Dolti Hospital (free emergency room) and Hussain Memorial Hospital are both open 24 hours and are the closest full facilities to the city centre. CMH Skardu accepts civilians but sits 11 km west in Gamba.
Quick answer: healthcare in Skardu
- Emergency number: Rescue 1122, nationwide
- Best rated: Hussain Memorial Hospital (4.8) and Dolti Hospital (4.6), both 24 hours
- For tourists: Masomeen Pharmacy delivers to your hotel, including overnight
- MRI and imaging: Skardu MRI & Diagnostic Center, Gamba
- Serious cases are referred to Gilgit or flown to Islamabad. Skardu cannot handle major trauma or complex surgery.
- Bring your own medication. Specific brands are often unavailable.
What Skardu's healthcare can and cannot do
Skardu has a reasonable spread of hospitals and clinics for a town of its size, and for ordinary problems — a stomach upset, a minor injury, altitude symptoms, a chest infection — you will be treated competently and cheaply.
What it cannot do is complex surgery, major trauma, cardiac intervention or intensive care at the standard of a large city hospital. Serious cases are stabilised locally and referred to Gilgit, or flown to Islamabad when the weather allows. That last point matters: Skardu airport closes in poor weather, and the road to Islamabad takes 18 to 20 hours. If you have a condition that could deteriorate quickly, factor that into your trip.
Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is worth having. It is rarely needed and expensive to lack. Trekkers going beyond Askole should also read how helicopter rescue works on the K2 trek; visitors from the US can find embassy numbers in our safety guide for Americans.
Map of medical facilities in Skardu
Numbers on the map match the table below. Distances are straight-line from the Skardu city centre, so road distance will be slightly longer. Every entry has a Directions link that opens Google Maps with the destination already set.
CMH Skardu and hospitals in Skardu
Numbers, hours and ratings below are from Google Places and were verified when this page was last updated. Ratings drift — treat them as a guide, not a guarantee. Every entry has a Directions link that opens Google Maps with the destination set.
| Hospital / clinic | Hours | Phone | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolti Hospital SkarduJamia Masjid Road, Gangopi, HyderabadEmergency room is free of charge. Reviewers consistently rate it among the best private hospitals in Baltistan. | Open 24 hours | +92 58154 54499 | ★4.634 | Directions |
| Hussain Memorial HospitalKargrong, SkarduHighest rated hospital in Skardu. Run by Hussain Trust. | Open 24 hours | +92 58154 54546 | ★4.813 | Directions |
| Kuwait Medical Complex (KMC)Astana, SkarduA Marafie Foundation project. Well equipped, though reviewers note fees are high by local standards and waits can be long. | Open 24 hours | +92 58155 50788 | ★4.724 | Directions |
| Doctors Hospital SkarduOpposite Women Degree College, Jamia Masjid Rd, KargrongRange of specialists under one roof. Reviewers report the appointment phone line can be difficult. | 9am–10pm · Sun closed | +92 58154 56677 | ★4.419 | Directions |
| CMH Skardu (Combined Military Hospital)CMH Road, GambaTreats civilians as well as military personnel. Basic but reliable. Around 11 km west of the city centre, so factor in travel time. | 24 hours (A&E) | — | ★4.315 | Directions |
| Hazrat Abbas HospitalChogomatamsara Khor, SkarduSmall facility, few reviews. | Check locally | +92 58154 56668 | ★4.52 | Directions |
| RHQ Hospital SkarduTrasmathung, SkarduRegional headquarters hospital. Government facility. | Check locally | — | — | Directions |
| Al-Hassan Medical CenterNew Bazaar, SkarduCentral location in New Bazaar. | 8am–10:30pm · Sat–Sun closed | +92 58154 52683 | ★4.02 | Directions |
| Baltistan Surgical & Medical ComplexSatpara Road, DevisionReviews report long waits and appointments not being honoured. Listed for completeness. | Check locally | +92 58154 52277 | ★2.33 | Directions |
| City Hospital SkarduBenazir Chowk, Alamdar Rd, Hassan ColonyEvening hours only. Mixed reviews. | 5pm–10pm daily | +92 355 4309529 | ★3.56 | Directions |
| Ali Hospital SkarduAgha Hadi Chowk, KargrongReviewers report crowding and long waits despite the token system. | 9am–10pm · Sun closed | +92 58154 50002 | ★3.73 | Directions |
| Hasnain Medical CenterGilgit–Skardu Road, AstanaClinic rather than full hospital. | 8am–10pm daily | — | ★4.01 | Directions |
| Health Care Clinic & Hijama CenterNear Star Bakery, Mehdi ColonyClinic with hijama (cupping) services. | Open 24 hours | +92 341 6339541 | ★5.01 | Directions |
| Skardu MRI & Diagnostic CenterNear Radio, Gamba SkarduThe MRI facility for the region. Diagnostic imaging rather than treatment. | Open 24 hours | +92 355 4429833 | — | Directions |
Pharmacies in Skardu
Pharmacies are easier to find than doctors, and several stay open late or around the clock. If you are a visitor and need medicine delivered, Masomeen Pharmacy is the one repeatedly named by tourists for hotel delivery at any hour.
| Pharmacy | Hours | Phone | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masomeen Pharmacy & Diagnostic CentreNear Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Memorial Hospital, GambaThe standout for visitors. Multiple tourists describe medicine delivered to their hotel room within 30 minutes, including at 2am and in bad weather. | Open 24 hours | +92 345 4188180 | ★5.030 | Directions |
| Zaheer Chemist & Surgical StoreDHQ Hospital Road, Gulshan AliReviewers note it is the one pharmacy reliably open at odd hours. | Open 24 hours | — | ★4.324 | Directions |
| Abbas Medical HallAli Chowk, near MFC Foods, HyderabadWide range of imported and herbal medicine. | 9am–11pm daily | +92 331 5400264 | ★5.06 | Directions |
| Mairaj Medical HallAlamdar Chowk, HyderabadPharmacy and cosmetics. | 8:30am–11pm daily | +92 345 9555082 | ★4.85 | Directions |
| Al-Khidmat PharmacySkardu cityOpen late. | 9am–12am daily | +92 343 8830482 | ★5.04 | Directions |
| Leaf Care Medical StoreShaheed Colony, near Saltoro Petrol Pump, SundusSmaller store, well reviewed for service. | 8am–9pm daily | +92 347 4883993 | ★5.04 | Directions |
Altitude sickness in Skardu and Deosai
Skardu town sits at 2,228 m, which is high enough to affect some people but rarely dangerous. Deosai at 4,114 m and Sheosar Lake at 4,250 m are a different matter — that is genuinely high altitude, and mild symptoms there are common.
| Symptom | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Headache, mild nausea, poor sleep | Ordinary mild altitude symptoms, very common above 3,500 m | Rest, drink water, avoid alcohol. Usually settles within a day. |
| Vomiting, dizziness, inability to walk straight | More serious — do not push on | Descend immediately. Going down 500–1,000 m usually resolves it. |
| Breathlessness at rest, confusion, blue lips | Medical emergency | Descend at once and call Rescue 1122. Do not wait to see if it improves. |
The practical advice for Deosai is simple: do not sleep at altitude on your first night in Skardu. Spend a night or two in town at 2,228 m before going up. Most problems come from ascending too fast. To check symptoms step by step, including the warning signs of HACE and HAPE, use our high altitude guide and altitude sickness calculator.
Altitude and mountain roads are the main real risks in Skardu, not crime. Our Skardu travel safety guide covers both in more detail.
What to bring with you
Pharmacies here stock the basics well, but specific brands and less common medications are often unavailable. Bring:
- Any prescription medication you take, in sufficient quantity for the whole trip plus a few days
- A copy of the prescription, in case you need a local equivalent
- Rehydration salts — stomach upsets are the most common visitor complaint
- Basic painkillers, antihistamine and any personal first aid
- High-SPF sunscreen. UV at this altitude is far stronger than most visitors expect
Practical notes
| Cash | Hospitals and pharmacies operate on cash. See where to get cash in Skardu. |
| Costs | Consultation fees are low by international standards. Kuwait Medical Complex is noted by locals as the most expensive of the private options. |
| Language | Doctors generally speak English. Reception and nursing staff may not. |
| Outside Skardu | Khaplu and Shigar have basic clinics only. Kharmang, Deosai and the high valleys have nothing. Plan accordingly. |
| Women travellers | Female doctors are available, particularly at Doctors Hospital where reviewers name Dr Nida Jaffer. Ask when booking. |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a hospital in Skardu?
Yes. Skardu has a government regional hospital (RHQ Hospital Skardu) plus around a dozen private hospitals and clinics, plus a Combined Military Hospital west of the city, several of which operate 24 hours. Most sit within 2 km of the city centre.
What is the emergency number in Skardu?
Rescue 1122 for ambulance and medical emergencies, 15 for police, and 1422 for the Gilgit-Baltistan tourist police helpline.
Can serious medical emergencies be treated in Skardu?
Minor injuries, infections and many surgical cases are handled locally. Cardiac emergencies, major trauma and intensive care generally mean referral to Gilgit or evacuation to Islamabad, which is weather-dependent, since the flight operates under visual flight rules.
Are there pharmacies in Skardu?
Yes, several, and at least one near the hospital road area operates 24 hours. Bring your own prescription medication though, as specific brands may not be available.
Do I need to worry about altitude sickness in Skardu?
Skardu town at 2,228 m is mild. Deosai at over 4,000 m is different. You gain more than 2,000 metres in under three hours, so mild altitude symptoms are common. Do not visit Deosai on your arrival day.
Should I get travel insurance for Skardu?
Strongly advisable, and check it covers high-altitude travel and medical evacuation. Many standard policies exclude activity above 3,000 metres, and Deosai is above 4,000 metres.
Can tourists use CMH Skardu?
Yes. Combined Military Hospital Skardu treats civilian and foreign patients on a paying basis, and its Accident & Emergency department is open 24 hours. It sits about 10.6 km west of the city centre at Gamba. Because it is a military installation, entry is through a gate and you should carry photo ID or your passport. For something minor a city facility is closer; in an emergency, call Rescue 1122.
What is the CMH Skardu contact number?
We could not verify a public reception number for Combined Military Hospital Skardu and will not publish an unverified one for an emergency facility. Ask your hotel or driver to confirm the current arrangement, or call Rescue 1122 who can direct you. CMH is about 10.6 km west of the city centre at Gamba and its A&E runs 24 hours.
What are the contact numbers for hospitals in Skardu?
Dolti Hospital +92 58154 54499 (24 hours), Hussain Memorial Hospital +92 58154 54546 (24 hours), Kuwait Medical Complex (KMC) +92 58155 50788 (24 hours), Doctors Hospital Skardu +92 58154 56677 (9am–10pm, closed Sunday), Ali Hospital +92 58154 50002 and City Hospital +92 355 4309529. For an emergency call Rescue 1122.
Which hospitals in Skardu are open 24 hours?
Dolti Hospital, Hussain Memorial Hospital and Kuwait Medical Complex are open 24 hours, as are the RHQ government hospital in Trasmathung and the A&E at CMH Skardu in Gamba, about 11 km west of the city centre.
Sources and accuracy
Facility names, addresses, phone numbers, opening hours and ratings were taken from Google Places and cross-checked against reviews. Ratings and hours change; phone before travelling to any facility that is not open 24 hours.
This page is travel information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition that needs managing, speak to your own doctor before travelling to high altitude. Found something out of date? Tell us.