Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 15 for SAMU. Hôpital Principal de Dakar (military hospital — French-staffed, excellent ER) is the best emergency facility. SOS Médecins Dakar (+221 33 889 1515) provides doctor house calls — French-speaking. French is essential for emergency communication.
Response time: 15-30 minutes in Dakar. 30-60+ minutes in other cities. Rural areas: potentially hours.
Cost: Public ER: CFA 5,000-20,000 (€8-30). Private ER: CFA 20,000-100,000 (€30-150). Private admission: CFA 30,000-200,000/day (€45-300). Surgery (private): CFA 200,000-2,000,000 (€300-3,000). Air evacuation to France: €15,000-40,000+.
Healthcare System
Senegal has a developing healthcare system with strong French medical influence. Dakar has the best facilities in West Africa after Abidjan: Hôpital Principal de Dakar (military hospital — excellent, French-staffed), Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec (main public teaching hospital), and private clinics like Clinique de la Madeleine, Clinique du Cap, and SOS Médecins Dakar. The French medical tradition means quality is higher than many neighbouring countries. Outside Dakar, healthcare drops significantly — Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor, and Thiès have regional hospitals but limited specialist care. The Casamance region (southern Senegal) has both security concerns and limited healthcare. French is essential for all medical interactions. Senegal is a gateway to West Africa — Dakar's modern airport (AIBD) is a regional hub.
Designed for: Senegalese residents. Visitors use private clinics — cash or insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Walk-in at private clinics. SOS Médecins Dakar for house calls. Public dispensaires for residents. French-speaking doctors throughout.
Typical wait: Private clinic: same-day. SOS Médecins: 1-3 hours for house call. Public: 1-4 hours.
Availability: Good in Dakar. Basic in Saint-Louis, Thiès, Mbour/Saly. Limited in Ziguinchor and the Casamance. Very limited in rural Senegal.
GP Visit
Private GP: CFA 15,000-40,000 (€23-60)
Private GP
CFA 15,000-40,000 (€23-60) per consultation
ER Without Insurance
Private ER: CFA 20,000-100,000 (€30-150). Admission: CFA 30,000-200,000/day. Air evacuation to France: €15,000-40,000+.
Medication
Medications available at pharmacies in Dakar — French-branded medications standard. Pharmacies (pharmacie) follow French pharmaceutical traditions. Stock limited outside Dakar. Prescription required for most medications. Antimalarials widely available.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm in Dakar. Pharmacie de garde (duty pharmacy) rotation for after-hours.
OTC: French pharmaceutical standards. Good range in Dakar pharmacies. Limited in rural areas.
Controlled substances: Carry doctor's letter in French for all medications. Drug laws are strict — cannabis possession carries severe penalties.
Practical Tips
- Hôpital Principal de Dakar (+221 33 839 5050) — French-staffed military hospital, best ER in West Africa
- SOS Médecins Dakar (+221 33 889 1515) for doctor house calls — French-speaking
- Clinique de la Madeleine and Clinique du Cap for private specialist care
- Yellow Fever: vaccinate at least 10 days before travel
- Malaria prophylaxis: start before arrival. DEET repellent and bed nets essential.
- French medical phrases: "J'ai besoin d'un médecin" (I need a doctor), "C'est urgent" (It's urgent)
- Drink bottled water only — waterborne disease risk throughout Senegal
- Travel insurance with evacuation to France recommended for serious conditions
Who can get care in Senegal?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Senegal treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private clinics. SOS Médecins Dakar for house calls. Public dispensaires for residents. French-speaking doctors throughout. Typical cost: Private GP: CFA 15,000-40,000 (€23-60). Specialist: CFA 25,000-80,000 (€38-120). SOS Médecins house call: CFA 25,000-50,000 (€38-75). Lab tests: CFA 5,000-50,000 (€8-75). Typical wait: Private clinic: same-day. SOS Médecins: 1-3 hours for house call. Public: 1-4 hours.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: Private ER: CFA 20,000-100,000 (€30-150). Admission: CFA 30,000-200,000/day. Air evacuation to France: €15,000-40,000+..
Documents worth having ready
- Yellow Fever certificate (MANDATORY)
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Malaria prophylaxis medication
- All prescription medications
- Doctor's letter (French translation essential)
Local contacts in Senegal
Emergency services
15 (SAMU — medical emergency) / 17 (police) / 18 (fire — Sapeurs-Pompiers)
Call 15 for SAMU. Hôpital Principal de Dakar (military hospital — French-staffed, excellent ER) is the best emergency facility. SOS Médecins Dakar (+221 33 889 1515) provides doctor house calls — French-speaking. French is essential for emergency communication.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm in Dakar. Pharmacie de garde (duty pharmacy) rotation for after-hours.
French pharmaceutical standards. Good range in Dakar pharmacies. Limited in rural areas.
What is the emergency number in Senegal?
15 (SAMU — medical emergency) or 17 (police) or 18 (fire — Sapeurs-Pompiers) in Senegal. Call 15 for SAMU. Hôpital Principal de Dakar (military hospital — French-staffed, excellent ER) is the best emergency facility. SOS Médecins Dakar (+221 33 889 1515) provides doctor house calls — French-speaking. French is essential for emergency communication.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Senegal?
Private GP: CFA 15,000-40,000 (€23-60). Specialist: CFA 25,000-80,000 (€38-120). SOS Médecins house call: CFA 25,000-50,000 (€38-75). Lab tests: CFA 5,000-50,000 (€8-75). Private consultations: CFA 15,000-40,000 (€23-60) per consultation.
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Sources: Senegal Ministry of Health, WHO Senegal, CDC Travelers Health Senegal 2025, UK FCDO Travel Advice Senegal, SOS Médecins Dakar
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare