Barbados Health Insurance

Barbados is an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, to the northeast of Trinidad and Tobago and to the east of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its total land area is 431 square kilometers and it has an approximate population of 286,000 people. A British colony since 1625, Barbados became an independent state within the Commonwealth in 1966 and Queen Elizabeth II is head of state. Strong trade and cultural links with Britain have remained and English is the country’s official language. A regional dialect called Bajan is also widely spoken and is commonly used day to day. Citizens of Barbados enjoy a relatively high standard of living and the country has a well developed mixed economy. Its main sectors are tourism, offshore financing services and manufacturing. Tourism alone accounts for almost half of its GDP and thousands of holidaymaker’s visit each year keen to witness its many natural attractions and to experience the laid back lifestyle synonymous with Barbados.

Barbados Health Care and Insurance

Health care in Barbados is recognized as being one of the best in the Caribbean region. There are numerous public and private health facilities and a majority of these facilities are capable of providing a wide range of treatments. Primary health care services are available at one of twenty polyclinics located throughout the island. Secondary health care is offered at the main state run Queen Elizabeth hospital as well as a number of smaller private health hospitals and clinics. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is responsible for the provision of health care services in Barbados and it oversees a national health insurance scheme similar in scope to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). This scheme entitles the citizens of Barbados to access public health services free of charge. Expatriates, travelers and other non-nationals in Barbados are required to pay in cash for any medical treatment received; therefore purchasing an international Barbados health insurance policy is strongly advised.

Public health facilities are funded through payments and deductions received from members of the national health insurance scheme. This income forms part of the health sector’s annual budget in which funds are released to facilities such as polyclinics and hospitals. Polyclinics operate with a small team of medical staff and are generally the first point of contact for citizens seeking health care assistance. Services offered include basic consultations, dental, family planning and maternal and child care. Some specialist services, including X-Ray, is typically available at some of the larger polyclinics. The main public health facility in Barbados is the 600 bed Queen Elizabeth hospital which is located in the capital city Bridgetown. It is capable of offering a wide range of services including in-patient, out-patient, cardiological, pediatrics, emergency services plus most surgical procedures.

Private clinics in Barbados are smaller in size when compared to public health facilities. The most popular private health facility among expatriates and tourists is the Bayview Hospital which is also located in Bridgetown. The hospital consists of a number of private and semi-private rooms and it is capable of providing most services including general surgery and some specialist services. Expatriates and non-nationals in Barbados should note that medical costs at private health facilities are considerably higher than those in the public sector. Purchasing an international Barbados health insurance policy is important to protect against expensive health care costs.

Barbados Travel Insurance Concerns

The delivery of health care in Barbados is not perfect by any means and there are some areas which are in need of extra attention and resources from the MoH. One common complaint against the national health insurance scheme is the sheer number of people who seek treatment at public health facilities for trivial illnesses. This has caused exaggerated waiting times at some clinics and hospitals, with emergency rooms in particular becoming quite crowded. There are no such delays at private health facilities and tourists and expatriates are advised to use these facilities if in an emergency wherever possible. The emergency response services are notoriously slow at responding to requests for assistance, with delays sometimes extending to a number of hours. Ambulance personnel are also untrained paramedics and are legally prevented from assisting a member of the public in their vehicle. Health personnel based in clinics and hospitals are trained to a high standard, although there are some complicated and specialist surgeries that cannot be performed in Barbados. If an expatriate or traveler were to require such treatment, air evacuation to the United States would be required.

Barbados experiences a warm tropical climate with a wet season that is generally from June to November. The wet season coincides with the region’s hurricane season although Barbados lies outside the main hurricane strike zone and the majority of hurricanes pass by with little effect. A number of tropical diseases and illnesses are common to the region and consultation with a travel health specialist four weeks prior to arrival in Barbados is advised. The routine vaccination should be updated accordingly and vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Typhoid are recommended. Malaria is not common to the region although outbreaks of Dengue Fever do occur throughout the year. It is important to protect against mosquito bites by using insect repellant and by wearing trousers and long sleeved clothing after dark. Leptospirosis can be found in freshwater areas therefore bathing and other activities near rivers and lakes should be avoided at all times.

Barbados Expat Health Insurance

Barbados is an idyllic country and large numbers of expatriates and tourists continue to relocate or visit the country each year. It possesses a health care system which is regarded as one of the best in the region, although there are some areas which require improvement. Expatriates and travelers in Barbados are required to pay for any medical treatment received. This treatment can be expensive, particularly when using private facilities or in the event that air evacuation is required. Expat Medical Insurance can help you, your family or travel companions find insurance cover that best suits your individual needs. Policies can be adjusted to include benefits such as emergency air evacuation. For more information on international Barbados health insurance, global health insurance policies or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our advisors today.