Medical Emergencies in Algeria: Key Numbers and the Right Reflexes
SAMU, Protection civile, on-call doctors: which numbers to dial, which signs should alarm you and what to do while waiting for help in Algeria.
In a medical emergency every minute counts — and knowing who to call saves precious time. Here are the numbers to know in Algeria and the reflexes that make a difference.
The emergency numbers to save right now
- 14 — Protection civile: accidents, fires, rescue and medical evacuations.
- 16 — SAMU: medical emergencies and dispatch of medical response (3016 for the CHU Mustapha SAMU in Algiers).
- 115 — Medical assistance line: toll-free medical guidance number, available in every wilaya.
- 17 — Police, and 1055 — National Gendarmerie in the areas it covers.
Save these numbers in your phone and post them at home: when you need them, you will not have the presence of mind to look them up.
Signs that require calling for help
- Intense chest pain, especially if it radiates to the arm or the jaw.
- Sudden difficulty breathing or speaking.
- Stroke signs: facial droop, weakness in one arm, slurred speech — even if they pass.
- Loss of consciousness, seizures, heavy bleeding that does not stop.
- In infants: high fever, unusual drowsiness, refusal to drink.
In these situations, do not wait for it to pass: call, describe the situation calmly and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
What is not a life-threatening emergency
Moderate fever in an adult, a cold, mild pain lasting a few days: these belong to a general practitioner or the on-call doctor, not the hospital emergency room — crowding it delays care for the serious cases. For quick advice without travelling, a teleconsultation can point you in the right direction, and you can book a consultation online for the following days.
While waiting for help
- Stay with the person and keep them calm.
- Never give food or drink to someone unconscious or confused.
- Prepare the useful information: age, current treatments, allergies, known conditions.
- Send someone to guide the responders if the address is hard to find.
Unsure about a symptom that does not seem urgent? See a doctor near you before the situation gets worse.
This article is published for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. If you have any doubt about your health or your child’s, see a doctor.
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