BedWatch Africa
Your BedWatch Africa Guide
Everything you need to know — in plain language. Read the parts that matter to you. Save this page. Share it with your family.
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What is BedWatch Africa?
BedWatch Africa is a simple tool that tells you which hospital near you has an available bed right now — before you leave home in an emergency.
Before BedWatch, when someone had an emergency in Accra, families would drive from hospital to hospital trying to find a bed. This wastes critical minutes. People die during that search.
With BedWatch:
- 1. You open the app and see which hospitals have space.
- 2. You go directly to the right one.
- 3. The hospital knows you are coming. Your family is alerted.
- You do not waste a single minute.
What do I get as a subscriber?
Real-time hospital map
See which hospitals near you have beds available, right now, before you leave home.
One-tap emergency routing
Press EMERGENCY and BedWatch instantly finds the nearest hospital with space for your type of emergency.
Hospital notified before you arrive
The hospital receives an alert that you are coming, with your emergency type and estimated arrival time. They prepare before you arrive.
Trusted contacts alerted
Up to 3 people you choose — spouse, sibling, friend — receive an automatic message the moment you press EMERGENCY. It includes your location and which hospital you are going to.
BERF emergency fund (annual plans only)
If you are treated at a BedWatch partner hospital for a genuine emergency, BERF pays up to GHS 1,000 toward your emergency transport and initial stabilisation treatment. Once per year.
Family coverage (Family Plan)
Your whole family of up to 5 people is covered under one plan.
Journey check-in
Set a destination and expected arrival time. If you do not check in when you arrive, your emergency contacts are alerted automatically.
Wellness monitoring
Check in on elderly parents or family members. If they miss a scheduled check-in, you are notified.
How much does it cost?
| Plan | Annual Price | Monthly Price | Who It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | GHS 60/year + BERF | GHS 5/month | 1 person |
| Family Most Popular | GHS 200/year + BERF | GHS 16.67/month | Up to 5 people |
| Day Pass | — | GHS 15 | 1 person for 24 hours |
Pay by MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, AirtelTigo Money, or card. Annual plans include BERF emergency coverage. Monthly plans and Day Pass include emergency routing but not BERF.
How do I use it in an emergency?
Step by step — takes under 60 seconds.
Open bedwatchafrica.com on your phone.
No app download needed. Works in any browser.
Tap the EMERGENCY button on your home screen.
You must be logged in. The button is large and always visible.
Select your emergency type.
Maternity · Trauma · Cardiac · Breathing · Child · Stroke · Other. Takes 2 seconds.
BedWatch finds the nearest hospital with space.
Based on your GPS location and your emergency type.
You see the hospital name, address, and distance.
Plus what to say when you arrive.
Tap Get Directions.
Opens your maps app with the route already set.
Your trusted contacts are alerted automatically.
They receive a message with your location and the hospital you are going to.
The hospital receives an alert that you are coming.
They prepare before you arrive.
What is the BERF Fund?
Every annual subscriber contributes a small amount to the BedWatch Emergency Response Fund (BERF). When a subscriber faces a genuine medical emergency and is treated at a BedWatch partner hospital, BERF pays the hospital up to GHS 1,000 to cover the cost of getting there and the initial treatment.
In plain terms:
If you are rushed to a BedWatch partner hospital in an emergency, you do not need to worry about money at the door. BERF covers the first GHS 1,000.
BERF rules you must know
How much does BERF cover?
Up to GHS 1,000 per emergency. This covers emergency transport plus initial stabilisation treatment combined.
How many times per year?
Once per subscriber per 12 months. If you have a BERF-covered emergency in January, your next BERF eligibility starts January next year.
When does BERF start?
30 days after your first annual subscription payment. You cannot use BERF on day one.
Do I claim BERF myself?
No. The hospital claims BERF on your behalf after treating you. You just show them your BedWatch reference code.
Which hospitals accept BERF?
Only registered BedWatch Africa partner hospitals. The BedWatch app shows which hospitals are partners.
Must I use the app first?
Yes. BERF only applies if you pressed the EMERGENCY button in the BedWatch app before going to the hospital.
Is BERF guaranteed?
BERF payments are subject to fund availability and eligibility verification. See the full BERF Terms for details.
What qualifies as a BERF emergency?
✓ BERF covers
- • Complicated labour / delivery complications
- • Road traffic accident with injuries
- • Heart attack symptoms (severe chest pain)
- • Stroke symptoms (facial drop, arm weakness)
- • Severe difficulty breathing
- • Child with convulsions or unconscious
- • Severe malaria with loss of consciousness
- • Severe burns or poisoning
- • Serious injuries from falls or accidents
✗ BERF does NOT cover
- • Regular antenatal check-ups
- • Planned caesarean sections
- • Collecting regular medication
- • Mild fever, cold, or headache
- • Follow-up appointments
- • Dental treatment
- • Eye checks
- • Non-emergency hospital visits
BERF is a shared fund. Using it for non-emergencies takes money from people who face genuine emergencies. Misuse results in immediate cancellation of your subscription with no refund. Read the full BERF Terms →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download an app?
No. BedWatch Africa works directly in your phone's browser. Just go to www.bedwatchafrica.com. You can add it to your home screen for quick access — it works like an app but there is nothing to download.
Does it work on 2G or slow internet?
Yes. BedWatch Africa is built to work on slow networks. It loads quickly even on 2G connections. In a real emergency, every second counts, so we made sure the app works on any Ghana network.
What if no hospital near me is on BedWatch?
BedWatch will still show you the nearest hospitals with available beds from our growing network. As more hospitals join, the network gets better for everyone. We are actively onboarding hospitals across Ghana every week.
Can I use BedWatch for my elderly parents?
Yes. A Family Plan covers up to 5 people including elderly parents. On a Family Plan, each person can have their own trusted contacts, their own emergency routing, and their own BERF eligibility. You can also use the Wellness Monitoring feature to check on your parents daily.
What is my BedWatch reference code?
Your reference code is a unique code assigned to your account when you subscribe. It is shown on your account page. Show this code to hospital staff when you arrive in an emergency so they can submit a BERF claim for you. Keep it somewhere you can find it quickly.
What if I press EMERGENCY by accident?
Close the emergency screen immediately. Your contacts will receive an alert, but you can quickly send them a follow-up message to let them know it was a mistake. No money is spent unless a hospital submits a BERF claim.
What if I cancel my subscription?
Your BERF coverage ends immediately. Emergency routing and all other features also end. You may re-subscribe at any time but the 30-day BERF waiting period applies again from your new subscription date.
Is my money safe?
Payments are processed by Paystack — Ghana's leading payment platform — using mobile money or card. BedWatch Africa never stores your payment details. BERF fund contributions are held in a dedicated account and used only for verified emergency claims.
What if the hospital says they do not know about BedWatch?
Show them your reference code and ask them to log in to their BedWatch hospital dashboard. If they cannot, contact us on WhatsApp (+233 56 070 0700) and we will assist them directly.
Can I share my subscription with someone outside my family?
No. Individual plans cover one person. Family plans cover up to 5 people from the same household. Sharing a subscription with someone outside your household is a violation of the terms and may result in cancellation.
Still have questions?
We are here to help. Reach us on WhatsApp or email.