Drop Da Pin · Healthcare
Know exactly what to expect
from healthcare before you arrive.
Private cover, air evacuation, insurance costs and which islands have the strongest healthcare infrastructure. No guesswork.
£120-350
Private cover per month (all origins)
All 15
Countries assessed
Air evac
In most good policies
2026
Updated this year
Overview
Public versus private healthcare
As a citizen or returning resident, you are entitled to use public healthcare. But public systems vary enormously across CARICOM. Here is what you need to understand before you rely on it.
Public healthcare
Free or low-cost for citizens. Quality varies enormously by island. Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica have the most developed public systems. Waiting times are long across all countries. Equipment and staffing gaps are common on smaller islands.
Private healthcare
Generally higher quality, shorter wait times and more consistent equipment standards. Available on all major islands. Costs are significantly lower than the UK for most procedures. Private insurance is strongly recommended for all returnees.
Air evacuation
For serious conditions, air evacuation to Miami, New York or the UK is the safety net. Most good private health policies include this as standard. Without it, an air medical transfer can cost £15,000 to £40,000 out of pocket.
Medication availability
Common medications are widely available across CARICOM. Specialist or brand-name drugs may need to be imported. If you take regular prescription medication, verify availability before you move and bring a 3 to 6 month supply initially.
Do not arrive without private cover
Drop Da Pin recommends that every returnee arrives in the Caribbean with active private health insurance, arranged before your departure date. Arranging cover after arrival is harder and you may face waiting periods before certain conditions are covered. The cost of a medical emergency without cover can be financially devastating.
Insurance costs
What private health insurance actually costs in 2026
Costs vary by country, your age, the level of cover and whether you include air evacuation. These are indicative 2026 ranges based on standard mid-tier policies.
Individual under 50
Basic cover£100-150/mo
Mid-tier with evac£160-220/mo
Comprehensive£250-350/mo
Individual 50-65
Basic cover£140-200/mo
Mid-tier with evac£200-280/mo
Comprehensive£300-450/mo
Couple (both under 60)
Basic cover£220-300/mo
Mid-tier with evac£310-400/mo
Comprehensive£450-600/mo
Family of 4 (with children)
Basic cover£280-380/mo
Mid-tier with evac£400-500/mo
Comprehensive£550-750/mo
On pre-existing conditions
Most Caribbean private health insurers will cover pre-existing conditions but may apply a waiting period of 12 to 24 months or charge a loading premium. Disclose everything accurately. Non-disclosure is a common reason for claims being rejected. Get proper advice from a broker experienced in Caribbean healthcare.
By country
Healthcare infrastructure across CARICOM
This is an honest assessment of current healthcare provision. Ratings reflect the quality of private and public combined, the availability of specialists and access to emergency care.
Strong
Adequate
Limited
Adequate
Limited
Barbados
Best public and private system in the Eastern Caribbean. QEH is the main regional hospital. Strong private clinics.
Trinidad
Multiple private hospitals. Port of Spain General Hospital. Specialist care available. Medical City a key private hub.
Jamaica
Several private hospitals including Sovereign Medical Centre. Public system under strain. Private cover strongly recommended.
Antigua
Mt St John’s Medical Centre opened 2009, modern facilities. Limited specialist care. Air evac to Barbados or Miami for serious cases.
St Kitts
Joseph N. France General Hospital provides primary and emergency care. Private clinic options are limited. Air evac recommended for serious cases.
Grenada
General Hospital in St George’s. Private clinic sector growing. Adequate for everyday care. Complex cases transferred to Barbados.
St Lucia
Victoria Hospital in Castries. Tapion Hospital is the main private facility. Good for general care, limited for complex specialist needs.
Guyana
Georgetown Public Hospital is the main facility. Private sector improving but limited. Medical tourism to Trinidad is common for specialists.
Belize · Dominica · Montserrat
Adequate for primary care and minor emergencies. Air evacuation coverage is essential on all three islands for anything serious.
Haiti
Healthcare infrastructure severely strained. A small number of private clinics operate in Port-au-Prince. Comprehensive international cover with air evac is not optional.
Before you leave
Healthcare checklist before you move
Do not leave any of these to chance. Most are easier and cheaper to arrange while you are still in the UK.
- Arrange private health insurance before your UK NHS entitlement ends. A BUPA International, Cigna Global or AXA International policy gives you continuity of cover from day one.
- Confirm air evacuation is included in your policy. Check the destination hospitals on your policy (Miami, USA and UK are standard. Ensure your island is in the coverage zone).
- Bring a 3 to 6 month supply of any prescription medication. Obtain a letter from your GP confirming the prescription and carry it with your documents.
- Get all vaccinations up to date before departure. Check current recommendations for your specific island via the NHS Travel Health website.
- Obtain a full medical summary from your GP. This speeds up registration with a private Caribbean doctor significantly.
- Research private clinics on your island before you arrive. Know where the nearest private emergency room is on day one.
- If you have children, research paediatric care availability specifically. Not all islands have paediatric specialists; some only have visiting consultants.
Not sure about healthcare on your specific island?
Each country guide includes a healthcare section with named hospitals, private clinics and insurance contacts specific to that island. Start with your destination.