The two governments publish different ambulance numbers, and Canada says there is no centralised emergency number at all outside Lusaka. Save both, and save your lodge.
The numbers, and the disagreement
| Service | UK FCDO | Global Affairs Canada (Lusaka) |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 991 | 991 |
| Ambulance | 992 | 991 or 995 |
| Fire | 993 | 993 |
- Police 991 and fire 993 are agreed. The ambulance number is not: the FCDO publishes 992, Canada publishes 991 or 995 for Lusaka. Save all three of 991, 992 and 995. This page gives the range rather than picking a winner, because there is no basis for picking one.
The thing that matters more than the number
- Canada states that there is no centralised number to reach emergency services outside Lusaka. Its advice for everywhere else is to research and carry the contact details of the local police and the nearest medical facility.
- So the number to have saved is your lodge's or your operator's. Before you leave Lusaka, write down the nearest hospital and a local number that answers.
- Global Affairs Canada states flatly that there are no ambulances to assist in the event of a road accident, and that police and emergency services help is limited or unavailable in rural areas. That changes what "call an ambulance" means here.
Money before treatment
- Call your insurer the moment you are referred, because the facility will want a cash deposit, a payment guarantee or proof of insurance before it starts, and cash only outside the major cities.
- Save the insurer's number and your policy number offline. A contact in the cloud is not saved during a power cut.
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