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Saint Lucia Expat Health Insurance

Saint Lucia is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea. The capital city is Castries and its population is approximately 174,000. One third of the country’s population resides in the capital city with the remainder living in other urban and rural areas. The country was ruled by France and Britain in its past, with rule of the country changing frequently. Finally in 1814 Britain secured control of Saint Lucia. However, in 1979 the island gained independence from Britain and is now an independent stated of the Commonwealth. Its head of state is the Queen of England and it has a Governor General.

Saint Lucia was named by the French after Saint Lucy of Syracuse. Its neighbours include the islands of Barbados, Saint Vincent and Martinique. The island of Saint Lucia is approximately 619 square kilometres and is divided into 11 parishes. The official language is English; however, 95 percent of the population also speak a French based Creole.

The country is a volcanic island with mountainous terrain. The country attracts many tourists due to its beaches and resorts, mountains and volcano, sulphur springs, rain forests, tropical weather and picturesque scenery. The dry season occurs from January to April each year when many people choose to visit Saint Lucia. The rainy season is from May to August each year. Many tourists visit Saint Lucia as part of a cruise trip.

Bananas are grown in Saint Lucia and exported. However, strong competition from other nations, including Latin America, has resulted in Saint Lucia diversifying its crops and revenue sources. The country’s main sources of revenue now are offshore banking and tourism which attract foreign investment and business. Significant foreign investment has come from Hess Oil’s large petroleum storage and transhipment terminal. The currency used in Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is a currency used by the members of the Caribbean Currency Union.

Saint Lucia has many cultural festivals during the year, the biggest of which is the Saint Lucian Jazz Festival held in May. This festival is held at many venues and attracts tourists and musicians from around the world. The country also holds a carnival in mid July

Saint Lucia Health Care and Insurance

Saint Lucia has a Ministry of Health Wellness, Family Affairs, Human Services and Gender Relations with a Minister appointed. The Ministry had national 10 year health sector plan from 1993 – 2003 to improve health care services including offering preventative care and free vaccinations. This initiative has worked and as a result the rates of infectious diseases have been reduced. The health sector receives funding from agencies, taxes and user fees. In 2004 Saint Lucia spent 3.3 percent of GDP on public health and 1.8 percent of GDP on private expenditure.

Medical facilities in Saint Lucia are limited to one public hospital, one private hospital and 34 health centres located across the island. The country’s second public hospital, St Jude’s Hospital in Vieux Fort burnt down in late 2009. A temporary hospital has been set up in George Odlum National Stadium to replace it however it is unable to admit patients overnight and has no operating rooms.

The private hospital in Saint Lucia is Tapion Hospital, a 30 bed private hospital in the capital city Castries which also offers dialysis facilities (telephone: 459 2000). This private medical facility has two operating theatres, a 24 hour emergency room, a hyperbaric chamber for divers, maternity services, a pharmacy, a laboratory and radiology. The public hospital in Castries is Victoria Hospital (telephone: 452 7393). Travellers should purchased health insurance for Saint Lucia to ensure that the cost of medical care is covered if they require treatment while visiting.

Saint Lucia Travel Advice

Saint Lucia is a safe country for travellers to visit. However, travellers should take care with their personal belongings and take precautions in crowded areas to avoid pick pocketing. Valuables should not be left unattended on beaches or in rental cars as these are often the subjects of theft. Visitors should beware of locals who may offer them a “gift” but expect payment in return. Either refuse the gift or expect to pay the giver a dollar or two in return. In an emergency, travellers should phone 911 for assistance.

The use of camouflage bags in Saint Lucia is illegal unless you are military personnel. Such bags will be confiscated from travellers at the airport. Naked sunbathing is also illegal on Saint Lucia’s beaches. The water in Saint Lucia is chlorinated and safe to drink however it may cause abdominal upsets in some travellers. Bottled water is widely available for those who prefer it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that travellers to Saint Lucia ensure that their childhood vaccinations are update to date including vaccinations against measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus and polio. They also advise travellers to have vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid (if staying in smaller cities, villages or rural areas in the Caribbean). Travellers who may have direct contact with bats are recommended to have rabies vaccinations.

Saint Lucia and other Caribbean islands have been subject to outbreaks of dengue fever which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Travellers should take precautions to ensure that they are not bitten by mosquitoes while travelling in Saint Lucia. It is recommended that travellers use an insect repellent containing DEET and wear long pants. Travellers should ensure they have medical insurance for Saint Lucia in case they fall ill.

Saint Lucia Expat Health Insurance

If you choose to travel it is recommend that you purchase Saint Lucia expat health insurance to ensure that you are covered in the case of an accident or emergency. While the medical facilities in Saint Lucia are of a good standard, they are limited especially in rural areas. To ensure that you have access to the best medical facilities for treatment please contact Global Health Insurance for a free quotation from the world’s leading health insurance providers. Our friendly and highly trained staff can assist you with finding the best St Lucia expat health insurance policy which can cover hospitalisation, Doctors visits, maternity services and more.