Medicine in the Caribbean

Caribbean countries are rapidly gaining popularity among those wishing to obtain citizenship. Why is this happening? The fact is that it is relatively easy to obtain a passport from one of these countries, and the opportunities it provides are very wide. The holder of citizenship literally opens the world for himself: the passport allows you to visit dozens of countries without a visa. In addition, citizenship allows you to conveniently conduct business in the European zone.

If for you getting a passport is not a mere formality and you really plan to live in the country, then you will definitely be interested in the issue of local medicine. In this material we have collected general information about this sphere in the Caribbean Islands. The following countries will be considered: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and Vanuatu. We will tell you briefly about the local medicine, as well as review a few popular clinics.

Antigua and Barbuda

Legally this state is independent, but in fact it is ruled by the British Queen. In many areas of life, including medicine, British standards are followed. Undoubtedly, this is an advantage of Antigua and Barbuda.

In terms of medical development, there are no “white spots” in the country. Every locality has a medical facility and qualified personnel.

Antigua and Barbuda is not standing still: the country is implementing a health care development plan adopted 22 years ago. One of the items is the construction of the St. John's Medical Center. It is considered the most technologically advanced in the entire Caribbean.

There is only one private clinic in the country. Locals prefer to go to public facilities. Although it is worth noting that the offices of private specialists have recently gained popularity. Most often these are doctors who have experience in the West.

Medical specialists are the pride of Antigua and Barbuda. The American University certified by the Department of Medicine of New York works in the country. Here future doctors are trained according to American standards. Many specialists are subsequently sent for internship in the USA.

The disadvantage is the impossibility of carrying out serious operations (for example, transplantation). However, this is a disadvantage of all Caribbean countries. Patients who need serious surgery are usually transported to Miami.

St. Kitts and Nevis

The situation in the two islands in the context of medicine is different.

• St. Kitts. There are three major hospitals. The main hospital is The Joseph N. France. It is well equipped technically: for example, specialists are able to perform biopsies, blood transfusions, operations of medium complexity.
• Nevis. In terms of medicine, this part of the country seriously lags behind St. Kitts. First of all, there is only one clinic. Secondly, it has no equipment for serious manipulations. The maximum that a patient can expect is MRI and CT scan.

As in the case of Antigua and Barbuda, “complicated” patients are transported to Miami. The alternative is Puerto Rico. The government of St. Kitts and Nevis declares plans to actively develop medicine in the coming years. For example, if we believe the words of government officials, soon in the hospital The Joseph N. France will treat cancer.

Dominica

The medical system of Dominica differs little from the states listed above. One of the differences is the development of private medicine: commercial clinics are popular among locals.

Citizens of Dominica obtain individual insurance policies from private companies. If you plan to stay on the territory of the state for a long time, it is strongly recommended to buy one of these policies. The fact is that treatment without insurance is very expensive: a visit to a specialist can cost 100-150 dollars.

There is no shortage of personnel in the country. On the territory of Dominica there is a medical university, whose students travel to the USA and Great Britain under the program of experience exchange.

St. Lucia's medical system also has a British footprint. The country is considered one of the most developed in the Caribbean in terms of health care. The area of the country is only 616 square kilometers. Despite this compactness, the island nation has 10 major clinics. As is often the case in the Caribbean, here you can count only on diagnostic measures and simple medical manipulations. In more serious cases, patients are transported to the island of Barbados.

There are many hotels in the country and each of them has an English-speaking doctor. Anyone can turn to him, but the service is paid: one visit costs about 40-50 dollars.

Grenada

Grenada even surpassed St. Lucia in the density of medical institutions. The area of the state is 348 square kilometers. At the same time, there are about 40(!) clinics in the country. The general hospital located in the capital is considered to be the main hospital.

It is important! Grenada actively uses treatment by folk methods, including herbalism and even shamanism. Before visiting a specialist, be sure to check what methods he uses.

St. George's University works in the country. It is actively supported by American curators. This university is considered the largest center for training medical specialists for the entire Caribbean. There is no shortage of personnel in the country.

Vanuatu

Public medicine in the country is not well developed: there is a shortage of equipment, conditions in most hospitals are uncomfortable. This situation is observed even in the central hospitals. Residents and tourists are recommended to turn to private specialists, if financial possibilities allow.

In the country, diagnostic measures are carried out and simple medical problems are solved. In serious cases, the patient is taken to New Zealand or Australia. Insurance policies of most companies include transportation.

Popular clinics

Let's consider several medical facilities that are in demand among locals and tourists due to their decent level.

The Joseph N. France. The main medical center of St. Kitts and Nevis. Named in honor of the local statesman and politician. The pride of the clinic is the center of traumatology and intensive care: the available equipment is not inferior to its European counterparts. There are wide opportunities for diagnostics: in addition to standard MRI and X-rays, there are also complex manipulations, including biopsy.

Alexandria. A clinic located on the island of Nevis. It is designed to provide emergency care and perform simple manipulations. There is modern diagnostic equipment for radiography, CT, ultrasound and MRI. In serious cases, patients are referred to either The Joseph N. France or the United States.

St. John's Medical Center. A multidisciplinary clinic with a staff of 500 specialists, 200 of whom are physicians. The medical center performs both simple diagnostic measures and complex therapeutic manipulations, including resuscitation. The clinic has been created taking into account modern medical trends: all documentation is electronic, there are individual and shared wards, a helicopter platform for emergency transportation of critically ill patients.

Vithas La Salud. A clinic located in Grenada. The staff consists of 380 specialists. Both outpatient and inpatient treatment is carried out here (there are 68 beds for patients). One of the specializations of the clinic is reproductive medicine: artificial insemination is performed here. Vithas La Salud also treats anorexia, obesity, and mental disorders.

Conclusion

Despite the small size of the states and their remoteness from the world's medical centers, the health care systems of the Caribbean countries are at a good level. Yes, in many respects they are inferior to their European counterparts, but for the average resident the services provided are more than enough. Besides, the local system is arranged in such a way that in serious cases the patient is guaranteed transportation, for example, to the States, and here you can already count on the highest class of medicine.

The most innovative hospital in the Caribbean

The Caribbean's most innovative hospital has passed a milestone.

Cayman Islands Health City is celebrating three years since its opening. In that time, the hospital has treated more than 29,000 patients.

The International Joint Commission accredited hospital is celebrating its third anniversary and its management team is keeping its promise to provide affordable, quality health care to everyone in mind as it prepares for a great future.

“We have many more achievements ahead of us, not the least of which is that we expect our medical and health center to start attracting more international patients” - commented Dr. Chandi Abraham, head of Health City and medical director, noting a 55 percent increase in international patients in the first two months of this year. ”

“Our positive treatment experience demonstrates our commitment to high standards of care and patient experience,"” - he added, citing the performance of 1,990 procedures since opening in 2014, which included 640 orthopedic surgeries and more than 280 heart surgeries, with an overall infection and readmission rate of less than one percent.

Health City was the first hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean to utilize computer navigation for joint replacement and has installed two left ventricular assisted circulatory devices (artificial hearts).

It is also where transcatheter aortic valve replacement was performed for the first time in the Caribbean; minimally invasive clot removal for stroke, which significantly improves post-stroke health; and renal denervation, a minimally invasive procedure using radiofrequency ablation to treat resistant hypertension. ”

“I am very satisfied with my treatment. I am a vascular surgeon and the care I received here was, if not the best I've seen, definitely on par. The model here is what the U.S. health care system is striving for.” - admitted a patient in need of emergency cardiac care, Dr. Leon Josephs of Massachusetts. ”

“We came here not least because the prices here are ten times more affordable than in the States, it's much simpler, more human,” said Dr. Alvaro Jiménez from Massachusetts - said Alvaro Jimenez from Guatemala, whose three-month-old son was saved at this hospital. ” “We are very, very lucky to have such state-of-the-art equipment on such a small island.” - said Robert Hamati, owner and CEO of Tortuga Rum, who received pulmonology care at Health City.

“Throughout the past year, we have worked to quickly add to the list of services we offer, and because of this, we have seen a significant increase in the number of patients coming to us,” - said Dr. Abraham, adding that Health City's future goals include expanding residential facilities at the East End Campus, further expanding medical services, and engaging Kaimanitz youth in science.