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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SAMU number in Algeria?
The SAMU is reached on 16 for medical emergencies and the dispatch of medical response (3016 for the CHU Mustapha SAMU in Algiers). 115 is the toll-free medical guidance number, available in every wilaya, and 14 is the Protection civile.
Which symptoms mean you should call for help right away?
Intense chest pain, sudden difficulty breathing or speaking, stroke signs even if they pass, loss of consciousness, seizures or heavy bleeding that does not stop. In infants: high fever, unusual drowsiness or refusal to drink — do not wait for it to pass.
Should I go to the emergency room for a fever or a cold?
No: a moderate fever in an adult, a cold or mild pain lasting a few days belong to a general practitioner or the on-call doctor, not the hospital emergency room. A teleconsultation can point you in the right direction without travelling, and you can book a consultation online for the following days.
What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?
Stay with the person, keep them calm and never give food or drink to someone unconscious or confused. Prepare their age, current treatments, allergies and known conditions, and send someone to guide the responders if the address is hard to find.
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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