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Health

Children's health in Abidjan

Good news: in Abidjan, every doctor speaks French, and private healthcare is of a good standard. What changes is the organisation: you pay before being treated, insurance is essential, and prevention (yellow fever, malaria, rabies) is part of children's daily life. Here are the essentials, checked with the consulate, the clinics and Abidjan Accueil.

Verified on 30 October 2026

How the healthcare system works

The system relies on public university hospitals (CHU) and a network of private polyclinics, where most expat families get treatment. The rule to remember: you pay upfront, unless the clinic has an agreement with your insurer.

Good to know

  • Admission to healthcare facilities requires payment or a deposit beforehand, even in an emergency: insurance covering hospitalisation and medical repatriation is essential, as the embassy cannot cover any costs. Source
  • Universal health cover (CMU), run by CNAM, is the basic Ivorian scheme: a contribution of 1,000 FCFA per person per month, with up to a 70% reduction on care and medicines at approved facilities. Source
  • CMU does not replace international insurance or the Caisse des Français de l'étranger: several Abidjan clinics have CFE agreements, including Polyclinique Avicennes and Polyclinique Hôtel Dieu. Source
  • Healthcare is generally good, but for a specific condition, check before leaving, and be aware that pharmacies occasionally run short of some medicines. Source

Addresses

  • Caisse des Français de l'étranger (CFE)

    France's voluntary social security scheme for expats, often topped up with a mutual or international insurance.

    Website Source

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Finding a GP and paediatrician

There is no compulsory registration with a family doctor: you freely choose your GP or paediatrician, in a private practice or a polyclinic.

Good to know

  • As soon as you arrive, contact a GP or paediatrician and book a first visit: they will know you and step in more easily when you need them, and will refer you to specialists and clinics. Source
  • The consulate's medical list, updated in August 2026, is the safest starting point; the choice of doctor remains free. Source
  • Bring each child's French health record, the international vaccination certificate (yellow card) and current prescriptions, written with the international non-proprietary name (INN) of each medicine. Source
  • Pregnancy and infant follow-up locally relies on the mother-and-child health booklet, which CNPS asks for to pay maternity benefits. Source
  • General practice consultations are also available in polyclinics, and some online platforms let you book appointments. Source

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Emergencies and hospitals

In the first week, identify the clinic with an emergency department closest to your home and the school, and always keep enough to pay a deposit.

Good to know

  • Emergency numbers: SAMU ambulance 185 (or 27 22 44 53 53, in Cocody), fire brigade 180, police 100. Source
  • In a genuine emergency involving a French national (hospitalisation, accident) outside office hours, the consulate's on-call line answers on +225 07 07 07 05 21. Source
  • Animal bite, scratch or lick on broken skin: wash for fifteen minutes with soap and water, then go straight to the INHP rabies centre at Treichville university hospital. Source
  • At the beach, the Gulf of Guinea's shore break and currents are dangerous and there are no lifeguarded swimming areas: never take your eyes off children, even with armbands. Source

Addresses

  • PISAM, Polyclinique internationale Sainte-Anne-Marie

    Emergency

    Avenue Joseph Blohorn, Cocody

    24/7 emergency department, paediatrics and neonatology. Has insurer agreements, according to the French foreign ministry.

    Website Source

  • Polyclinique Farah

    Emergency

    Place Donwahi, Marcory résidentiel

    24/7 emergency department, including paediatric and obstetric emergencies, with intensive care on site. Convenient for families in Abidjan South.

    Website Source

  • Polyclinique Hôtel Dieu

    Hospital

    Boulevard de Marseille, Treichville

    Clinic with a CFE agreement, opposite the Palais des Sports pharmacy.

    Source

  • Polyclinique Avicennes

    Hospital

    Clinic with a CFE agreement, listed by the French ministry among facilities useful to French nationals.

    Source

  • Polyclinique internationale de l'Indénié

    Hospital

    4 boulevard de l'Indénié, Plateau

    Plateau clinic where a paediatrician from the consulate's list consults.

    Source

  • CHU de Cocody

    Hospital

    Cocody

    Public university hospital; Abidjan's SAMU ambulance service is based there.

    Source

  • CHU de Treichville

    Hospital

    Treichville

    Public university hospital, home to the Cardiology Institute and the INHP rabies centre.

    Source

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Doctors, paediatricians, dentists and therapists

The French consulate general in Abidjan publishes a medical list, updated on 6 August 2026. It is provided for information only, without engaging the administration's responsibility, and the choice of doctor is free. We list the practitioners most useful to families; all practise in French, in private practices or polyclinics.

Good to know

  • The official list covers GPs, surgeons, paediatricians, a gynaecologist, cardiologists, a radiologist, an endocrinologist, dentists, ophthalmologists, a dermatologist and psychologists; several GPs act as advisory doctors to the consulate. Source
  • Full contact details (phone numbers, emails) are in the consulate's document; some GPs make home visits. Source
  • Abidjan Accueil complements this list in its printed guide, given to new members, with specialists and orthodontists recommended by the community. Source

Addresses

  • Dr Hussein Chalhoub

    General practitioner

    Avenue Chardy, Plateau

    GP, Centre médical Chardy.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Henri Chenal

    General practitioner

    Boulevard Angoulvant, Plateau

    GP, Centre médical du Manguier.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Marie-Christine Succar

    General practitioner

    Avenue Chardy, Plateau

    GP and tropical medicine, private practice; advisory doctor to the consulate.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Boris Paul Emile

    General practitioner

    Boulevard de Marseille, Zone 4-Biétry

    GP, Centre médico-chirurgical France Ivoire.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Rodrigue Vanié

    General practitioner

    Boulevard Giscard-d'Estaing, Zone 4

    GP, Centre médical Le Bélier, makes home visits; advisory doctor to the consulate.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Farid Nicolas Haddad

    Paediatrician

    Boulevard de la République, Plateau

    Paediatrician, Centre de pédiatrie du Plateau, opposite the Houphouët-Boigny stadium.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Camille Safi

    Paediatrician

    Boulevard de l'Indénié, Plateau

    Paediatrician, Polyclinique internationale de l'Indénié.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Julie Humbert Kouadjo

    Paediatrician

    Riviera Golf, Cocody

    Paediatrician, Centre médical des Arts.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Sami Hamdan

    Paediatrician

    Marcory résidentiel

    Paediatrician, Centre médico-chirurgical Les Schtroumpfs.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Walid Zahreddine

    Paediatrician

    Marcory résidentiel

    Paediatrician, Polyclinique Farah.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Jennifer Orio

    Dentist

    Zone 4

    Dentist, paediatric and general dentistry.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Pascaline Memin-Attebi

    Dentist

    Boulevard Latrille, II Plateaux

    Dentist and orthodontist, Cabinet dentaire Latrille.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Georges Sahyoun

    Dentist

    Boulevard Giscard-d'Estaing, Zone 4

    Dentist, Le Bélier building.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Sarah Daher

    Psychologist

    Zone 4

    Child and adolescent psychologist, Au centre des sens.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Source

  • Dr Véronique Ruggirello

    Psychologist

    Psychologist and psychotherapist.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Website Source

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Pregnancy and maternity

Many mums have their pregnancy followed in Abidjan by a French-speaking obstetrician, in a polyclinic with a neonatal unit. Talk early with your insurer about how the delivery will be covered.

Good to know

  • Maternity leave for employees registered with CNPS lasts fourteen weeks, six before and eight after the birth, extendable by three weeks for pregnancy-related illness. Source
  • Zika is transmitted by mosquitoes: pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy should see a doctor before leaving and carefully protect themselves from bites. Source
  • A bed net for the pregnant mother and baby, covering clothes in the evening and a suitable repellent: protection against bites is the first line of malaria prevention. Source
  • For a baby born in Abidjan, register the birth with the local civil registry, then ask the consulate to transcribe the certificate, by appointment or by post. Source

Addresses

  • PISAM

    Maternity

    Avenue Joseph Blohorn, Cocody

    Obstetrics and gynaecology, pregnancy follow-up and delivery, paediatrics and neonatology on site.

    Website Source

  • Polyclinique Farah

    Maternity

    Place Donwahi, Marcory résidentiel

    Private polyclinic in Marcory with a maternity unit.

    Website Source

  • Polyclinique GMP (Groupe médical du Plateau)

    Maternity

    Avenue Lamblin, Plateau

    Clinic where the obstetrician from the consulate's list consults.

    Source

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Pharmacies and medicines

Pharmacies are found in every district. A duty rota keeps some open at night and at weekends.

Good to know

  • Duty pharmacies change every week: the up-to-date list, district by district, is published by Abidjan.net. Source
  • Never buy medicines in the street, because of the risk of counterfeits. Travel with your treatments in their original packaging and the prescription in INN. Source
  • Psychotropic medicines (sleeping pills, antidepressants) must always be backed by a prescription, or you risk being charged with drug possession. Source
  • Occasional shortages happen: for a long-term treatment, keep a reserve. For fever, use paracetamol rather than aspirin, and never give antimalarials without medical advice. Source
  • Deworm children twice a year: pharmacies sell liquid deworming treatments suited to little ones. Source

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Vaccines and prevention

Before leaving, a visit to an international vaccination centre brings the whole family up to date with the French schedule and travel vaccines. Locally, INHP is the reference.

Good to know

  • Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter the country. A single dose gives lifelong protection and is given from 9 months. Source
  • On top of the French schedule (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles), recommended depending on length of stay: hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, ACWY meningitis, and BCG for children under 15 on long stays. Source
  • Preventive rabies vaccination may be recommended, especially for young children as soon as they walk. Source
  • Malaria is present year-round in Côte d'Ivoire: discuss preventive treatment with your doctor, use treated bed nets and repellents; any fever, locally or after returning, requires a prompt consultation. Source
  • INHP's international vaccination centre, in Treichville, is open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 2.30pm and Saturday morning; this is where babies get their first yellow fever jab. Source
  • Dengue and chikungunya also circulate: protection against bites day and night remains the best prevention, and anti-inflammatories should be avoided in case of fever. Source

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These landmarks do not replace the advice of a health professional. In an emergency, call the local emergency number shown above.

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Abidjan will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Abidjan, liste de notoriété médicale
  2. 2 Consulat général de France à Abidjan, en cas d'urgence
  3. 3 France Diplomatie, Côte d'Ivoire, santé
  4. 4 France Diplomatie, Côte d'Ivoire, contacts utiles
  5. 5 PISAM, Polyclinique internationale Sainte-Anne-Marie
  6. 6 INHP, calendrier de vaccination
  7. 7 CNPS, assurance maternité
  8. 8 Abidjan Accueil, se soigner

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