Medical Emergencies in Cotonou: SAMU 112 Numbers and Hospitals (2026)

A road accident on the Godomey highway. A heart scare at 11 PM. A child with a febrile seizure. In moments like these, every minute counts and every mistake is costly. This page gives you exactly what you need: the right numbers, the right hospitals, the right procedure.

Quick summary: emergency numbers and services in Cotonou (2026)

• National SAMU (ambulance service): 112 (free, 24/7) or direct lines (+229 01 68 30 00 00 / 09 09).
• Fire Department: 118 (traffic accidents and fires) | Police Emergency: 117.
• 24-hour public hospitals: CNHU-HKM (all emergencies), CHU-MEL / HOMEL (pediatrics and maternity).
• 24-hour private clinics: Polyclinique Atinkanmey, Clinique Hagnon, Clinique Serena, Polyclinique Les Cocotiers.

The numbers to save right now

Don't go looking for these numbers mid-emergency. Save them tonight.

About 112: the national number works on every carrier, even without phone credit and even from a foreign phone roaming in Benin. This is your first move in any life-threatening emergency.

What to do in an emergency: the exact procedure

Life-threatening emergency — call 112

Once you get through, the dispatcher will ask you three questions. Answer them in this order:

1. Your exact location: name the neighborhood, the street, a visible landmark (pharmacy, gas station, well-known building). Addresses in Cotonou are rarely formalized — a landmark is your best map.
2. The nature of the emergency: "traffic accident, unconscious victim," "cardiac episode," "child in respiratory distress"...
3. The number of victims

Stay on the line. The dispatcher will walk you through instructions until help arrives. Don't hang up unless told to.

Traffic accident

• Don't move an injured person unless they're in immediate danger (vehicle on fire, risk of drowning)
• Secure the area: warning triangle if you have one, hazard lights on
• Call 118 (Fire Department) alongside 112 for serious multi-victim accidents
• Photograph the scene for insurance purposes before moving any vehicles

Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Lay the person on their side in the recovery position if they're breathing
• Clear the airway
• Don't give them anything to drink or eat
• Call 112 immediately

Clinics open 24/7 in Cotonou

SAMU response times can vary depending on your location. If you're able to transport the patient yourself, here are the facilities with round-the-clock emergency services:

Main public hospitals

CNHU-HKM is Benin's largest hospital, with every medical specialty on-site. Its emergency room gets slammed during peak hours — go there for serious, non-transportable cases. For pediatric and obstetric emergencies, CHU-MEL is the national reference facility.

Private clinics with 24/7 emergency care

Call ahead to confirm the on-call doctor is available for your type of emergency before heading over.

Private ambulance services

Public SAMU has medically equipped ambulances. For a fast transfer to the facility of your choice, private operators also step in:

• Ambulances des Amazones: +229 01 41 97 07 04
• AML Bénin: fully equipped 4x4 ambulances, 24/7 assistance
• YLOMI: medical transport and evacuation

For expats with international insurance (CFE, Allianz, April, AXA), your insurer typically has a direct assistance line that coordinates evacuation to an approved facility. That number is on your insurance card — check it before you need it.

Insurance and payment

Most major private clinics in Cotonou accept local insurance (SUNU, NSIA, OLEA), and some accept international insurance with direct billing. Always ask whether your insurance is accepted when you call ahead.

Without insurance, private clinics generally ask for an advance payment on admission for non-life-threatening emergencies. Have cash or Mobile Money (MTN MoMo / Moov Money) ready.

CNHU-HKM, as a public hospital, applies regulated rates that are notably lower than private clinics.

FAQ: medical emergencies in Cotonou

Does 112 work from a foreign phone?

Yes. 112 is the international emergency number. It works from any GSM device, including without an active SIM card, without credit, and from a foreign phone roaming in Benin.

Which clinic should I choose for a cardiac emergency?

Polyclinique Atinkanmey has an emergency cardiology unit. CNHU-HKM also has a cardiac ICU. Call ahead to confirm an on-call cardiologist is available before heading over.

What about an on-duty pharmacy at night?

Check our complete guide to on-duty pharmacies in Cotonou — weekly ONPB schedule, PharMap WhatsApp, and a list by district.

What should I do for a pediatric emergency at night?

CHU-MEL (HOMEL) is the national reference facility for children's emergencies. Clinique Hagnon also has a neonatal and pediatric emergency unit open 24/7. Check our guide on pediatrics and maternity care in Cotonou.

How do I handle an emergency if I don't speak Fon or Yoruba?

Medical staff at the major private clinics and at CNHU speak French. In a street-level emergency, pointing to the injury works — non-verbal communication gets you far. Operators on 112 and 118 are French-speaking.

Data verified against official facility websites, the French Embassy in Benin, and local medical directories. Last updated: July 2026.