Doctor Consultation by Phone for Children in Nigeria
By Medtrix Editorial Team · Medically reviewed by Medtrix Clinical Review Board · 28 April 2026 · 5 min read
How to book a paediatrician on the phone
Dial *9010# → “Book a doctor” → “Children & family”. Or visit medtrix.io and filter by “Paediatrics”.
Have ready: child's age, weight (or rough estimate), current temperature, what symptoms started when, any medications already given, and any known allergies. The clearer your answers, the faster the doctor can help.
Things parents commonly call about
- Fever, when to give paracetamol/ibuprofen and when to worry
- Cough, runny nose, sore throat — viral vs bacterial
- Stomach upsets, vomiting, diarrhoea — oral rehydration salts (ORS) plans
- Rashes — heat rash, allergy, infection, measles screening
- Crying baby — colic, reflux, hunger, infection
- Feeding and weaning questions for babies
- Sleep problems, bedwetting, behavioural questions
- Vaccination schedules (Nigerian National Programme on Immunisation)
- Routine follow-ups for asthma, sickle-cell disease, malaria prophylaxis
When the doctor will tell you to go to A&E (don't wait)
A phone consultation is excellent for triage, and these are the conditions where the paediatrician will end the call quickly and tell you to head to a hospital:
- Any child under 3 months with a fever above 38°C
- Difficulty breathing — fast breathing, chest pulling in, blue lips
- Repeated vomiting and not keeping fluids down
- Sunken eyes, no tears when crying, very few wet nappies (severe dehydration)
- A non-blanching rash (push a glass against it — if it doesn't fade, go to A&E)
- Convulsions / fits
- Floppy or unresponsive baby
Dial 112 for an ambulance, or 767 in Lagos (LASEMA).
Prescriptions and dosing for children
Paediatricians dose by weight, not by age. The doctor will calculate the correct millilitres or tablets and send the prescription by SMS and PDF. Common phone-prescribed items for children include:
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen suspensions
- Oral rehydration salts and zinc supplements
- Antimalarials (artemether-lumefantrine combinations)
- Antibiotic suspensions for clear-cut infections
- Antihistamines for allergies and itchy skin
Always read the prescription back to the doctor before you hang up — especially the dose — and ask any pharmacy to confirm the same dose at dispensing.
Frequently asked questions
Can the doctor see my child without video?
Yes — for many situations, parental description is enough. If the doctor needs to see a rash or how your child is breathing, they can switch to a WhatsApp video link or ask you to send a photo.
Is it safe to give my child medicine recommended by a phone doctor?
Yes, when the doctor is MDCN-registered and the prescription is in writing. The doctor takes the same legal responsibility as if they had seen your child in clinic.
Can I get a sick note for school?
Yes — the doctor can issue a school medical excuse note as a PDF after the consultation.
Sources & further reading
Information in this article is verified against the following primary sources, current at the time of review.
Related guides
Editorial note: this guide is for general information and does not replace a one-to-one consultation with a registered Nigerian doctor. If you are unwell, dial *9010# or call 112 in an emergency.