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

How does the healthcare system work in Saint Lucia?

The quality of healthcare in Saint Lucia is good, and somewhat limited. The country is working hard on the healthcare road and healthcare is constantly developing.
Healthcare consists of both public and private healthcare institutions. For example, there are five public hospitals and one private one.
Despite the limited care, most conditions can be treated, but in complex (emergency) cases medical evacuation may be necessary.
Because the official language is English, you do not have to worry about a language barrier.
Some healthcare institutions want to receive your money in advance. This is especially the case with private institutions.
Pharmacies are easy to find and sometimes have their own doctor for minor medical questions.
Traditional medicines are still widely used. Especially in remote areas.
Call 911 in the event of a (medical) emergency.

Saint Lucia is still working on universal health insurance, but there is coverage for vulnerable citizens and for certain services such as maternity care and treatment of chronic conditions. The government finances public health care, which keeps the cost of care relatively low.
Foreigners can also use public health care.
Public hospitals are generally of good quality and have sufficient staff. However, they are not recommended for complex medical treatments or serious medical emergencies.

Most health care is privately financed.
The quality of private care is often better than that of public care. Private hospitals have modern equipment and sufficient staff and are generally recommended for serious medical emergencies and operations.
Although it may cost less than in the US or some countries in Europe, the private sector is relatively expensive. Good insurance is therefore recommended.

There are family doctors in both the public and private sectors.
The family doctor is your point of contact for receiving care. The family doctor can also refer you to specialists in the hospital.
Do you want to find a good family doctor that suits you? Then it is best to ask other residents for advice!

Basic dental care is available in public hospitals in Saint Lucia. The quality of dental care is good.
Private clinics offer good and comprehensive options, but are a bit more expensive.

Good maternity care can be found in Saint Lucia, both in public and private clinics.
All medical tests are available.
You can choose from three options: care from a public health institution, a combination of public and private, or completely private.
Antenatal courses are almost exclusively available at public clinics.
The first point of contact is the family doctor, who will then refer you to a midwife in a hospital or birthing center.

In general, Saint Lucia is a safe country, even one of the safest in the Caribbean. The government considers safety to be very important and this is reflected in the comfortable and hospitable life there.
There is some pickpocketing and bag theft here and there and sometimes violent crime, but this does not happen often.
It is recommended to be more careful, especially in the evening, and not to go out alone in remote places.
Hurricanes can cause quite a bit of chaos, fortunately often only after they pass Saint Lucia. The hurricanes are therefore usually not that strong yet, but make sure you know what to do in the event of a hurricane and always follow the advice of the government.

There are few infectious diseases in Saint Lucia. A number of diseases to take into account are the mosquito-borne diseases, dengue and zika, and schistosomiasis. The latter is a parasitic infection that you can get when swimming in fresh water. Tap water is safe to drink.

The roads in Saint Lucia are beautiful, but also have many unexpected bends. A real adventure to drive on.
Be aware of drivers who drive too fast, and that buses can suddenly stop in front of you.
Motorcycles often drive very close to the cars.
Taxis and buses are safe and a good way to explore Saint Lucia. Official buses have a green license plate starting with M, official taxis have a light blue license plate starting with TX.
Which work and travel insurances are suitable for short and long stays in Saint Lucia.

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.

It is not mandatory to have your own health insurance, but it is strongly recommended. Most foreigners and also some locals living in Saint Lucia have some form of private health insurance. International insurance also ensures that you are covered for repatriation and any medical evacuation that may be necessary when in Saint Lucia.
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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