In case of a crime emergency, find your nearest Politur office. This is a specifically appointed outfit of police to serve the tourists. Politur officers are appointed in their jobs because they are able to speak a language other than Spanish. For any other emergency, call 911.
Foreigners seeking medical attention are advised to go to Clínica Abreu (Santo Domingo, Calle Beller 42 at Av. Independencia, tel. 809/688-4411) or Clínica Gómez Patiño (Santo Domingo, 701 Independencia, tel. 809/685-9131). These clinics are high cost, but the level of care is good and they have 24-hour emergency rooms.
While this may sound strange, calling a taxi might get you to an emergency room quicker than calling an ambulance. A company like Techni-Taxi (Santo Domingo, tel. 809/566-0109) is a good one to call. They will have one at your door in usually 3–5 minutes. Obviously, only call for a taxi if you think you won’t be needing medical care on the way to the clinic.
Check with your health insurance provider to make sure you are covered while traveling abroad. Don’t forget to carry proof of your health insurance with you. Another option is to get traveler’s insurance. If you are booking your trip through a travel agent, ask for some suggestions. Policies can get you some short-term coverage for medical, evacuation, flight accident, and life insurance. Do an Internet search for providers in your area.