How does healthcare work in Jamaica, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Jamaica?

In Jamaica, you can relax to the max. However, it is wise to be prepared if something does happen to you. Healthcare is available, but not of the quality that you find in more developed countries.
However, the government is working hard to improve healthcare for the local population. Who knows how it will change in the coming years?
There are about 30 hospitals and clinics with at least one small hospital in every part of the island. For emergency care, this is not enough and you have to go to Kingston or Montego Bay.
So it depends on where you live whether you have access to good care and good options.
The healthcare system in Jamaica consists of both public and private options.
Pharmacies work with an electronic prescription system for medicines.
Medical emergency care is limited and only available in large cities. Call 110 in case of an emergency.
In case of serious medical emergencies, a medical evacuation is most likely necessary.

The public healthcare system is called Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and is based on the British National Health Service model. Healthcare is free for residents and permanent residents. Others have to pay for healthcare.
In general, the quality of healthcare is reasonable, but waiting times are long, there is sometimes too little medical equipment (in exceptional cases you even have to bring your own), there are few specialists and it is difficult to obtain prescription medication and a lot of cash has to be paid.
Public hospitals usually have sufficient staff and medical equipment, but are not known for their use of the most modern technology and treatments.

There are several private clinics on the island. The care is good, but not always of the standards that people are used to in the West.
Most expats opt for private healthcare, or even healthcare outside Jamaica (for example in the US).
Private hospitals generally have good staff and good facilities and are recommended for emergency care and major operations.
Many locals cannot afford private healthcare, which makes public healthcare even more overcrowded.

GPs are usually the first point of contact for a medical condition.
The Association of General Practitioners of Jamaica (AGPJ) is the professional body for GPs. Through them you can find all registered GPs in Jamaica.

There is a shortage of dentists in the country and the quality of dental care may not be what you are used to.
Most dentists can be found in Kingston and Montego Bay. The quality can be good here.
The costs for private dental care are relatively high.

In Jamaica the number of pregnancies has decreased in recent years, but the percentage of maternal mortality has increased. The government is working hard to counteract this.
There are limited, but good options for maternity care in Jamaica. All prenatal tests are available and if you can go to a good, private hospital or clinic, you can also take pregnancy courses.
The Jamaica Hospital, among others, has neonatal intensive care facilities and offers good, comprehensive care.
Abortion is illegal in Jamaica and has severe penalties. An abortion can only be performed when the mother's life is in danger. This means that many illegal abortions take place each year, which is the leading cause of death among mothers.

Crime is quite high in Jamaica. All over the country, but especially in Kingston. Corruption and drug trafficking are also major problems in the country.
The country has one of the highest murder rates in the world.
You are especially at risk at night. It is not recommended to use public transport or to walk alone in the dark.
Also be aware of people who spontaneously come to chat with you. Sometimes it can be nice, but it is also possible that they are out to grab your bag from your hands and run.
ATM fraud is common.
The country is known for its violence towards the LGTBQI+ community. Things have been getting better in recent years, but it is important to think about this if you are considering living in Jamaica if you are, for example, homosexual or transgender.
In general, don't worry too much. There are problems, but the chance that you will encounter them is still small if you pay close attention yourself.
So make sure you have as few valuables with you as possible and avoid walking around alone in the dark as much as possible.

Make sure you check well in advance which vaccinations you need for a stay in Jamaica.
HIV/AIDS is relatively common. So keep this in mind!
There are also mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and zika. Protecting yourself well against mosquitoes prevents problems!

Driving in Jamaica is pleasantly bumpy. The maintenance of the roads has been neglected and you will find many large holes in the road and inadequate signage.
Also, the drivers are not always as relaxed as you would think and they can drive unpredictably.
In the cities, major traffic jams can occur during rush hour.
There is a risk of flooding in the rainy season. This type of flooding can seriously damage the roads and pose a danger to drivers.
Public transport consists mainly of buses. The network covers the entire island, but is somewhat chaotic. Do not expect fixed departure times!
There are many taxis, but not all of them are registered. The safest taxis are those registered with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). These have a red number plate.
The same applies to minibuses, locally called “coasters”. Those with a red number plate are registered with the JTB.

Is the trip to and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

A good, international health insurance is important for Jamaica. There is a chance that medical evacuation is necessary. Medical evacuation means you will also get charged in a neighboring country such as the US, , which won't be good for your wallet. But even when medical evacuation is not necessary, international health insurance is useful because you will probably want to use the relatively expensive private care.
So… Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.

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