Barbados: Sun, Sea, Sand and State-of-the-Art Medical Care
Barbados boasts a wealth of natural wonders, stunning views, breathtaking landscapes, miles upon miles of white, sandy beaches and almost year round sunshine. Visitors have long enjoyed the delights Barbados has to offer and in recent years more and more medical tourists have been flocking to the country to benefit from the internationally renowned healthcare system. What better place to relax and recuperate after a medical procedure than in the unparalleled beauty of the Barbadian surroundings?
Why Choose Barbados for Travel and Treatment?
As well as being known for its beauty, Barbados is also recognized as having the most modern medical facilities in the Eastern Caribbean. Amenities available to patients include a dialysis centre, facilities for open heart surgery and a decompression chamber. For years, the Caribbean has attracted visitors wanting to relax and unwind and Barbados is a perfect haven for just this type of trip. After treatment, medical tourists can enjoy Barbados' warm climate, soothing surf, fresh air and mineral springs which are known for their curative properties. Patients wishing to explore Barbados post treatment can't go wrong with a trip to any of the island's many beautiful beaches. Choose the west coast for its warm, calm waters or the east coast for its rugged, tumbling waves. Barbados enjoys a diverse culture due to the mixture of British and African influences and visitors are warmly welcomed by locals. Travellers can enjoy the great Barbadian night-life in the tourist areas such as the Saint Lawrence Gap or stroll through one of the duty-free shopping districts. As well as being known for its extremely high standards of healthcare and low treatment prices, Barbados offers a host of activities whatever your needs. From wine tasting to wild life parks, scuba diving to sunbathing, this island paradise really does offer something for everyone.
Medical Facilities in Barbados
With two major hospitals, over 20 clinics, many experienced medical laboratories and over 100 private doctors in practice, Barbados has a well established and high quality health care sector. Both the state-run and private medical facilities in Barbados are excellent and all Barbadian citizens are covered by national healthcare. Over the past few years, the island of Barbados has become one of the most popular destinations for international medical tourist from the US, Europe and South America. Popular procedure areas include Fertility, Cardiology and cosmetic Surgery due to the state-of-the-art technology Barbados offers patients. Over the years, Barbados has invested in the necessary infrastructure to treat medical tourists and locals alike. The Island has world class facilities along with a range of human resource capacities, including nurses, paramedics and health administrators. Medical tourists can also make great savings by choosing treatment in Barbados. An example of this is the close to $4000 saving a US patient can expect to make when choosing fertility treatment in Barbados, and this includes a two week holiday!
Barbados Hospitals and International Standards of Care
Many of the Hospitals and Clinics in Barbados are accredited by the JCI International, a U.S. Health accreditation organization body, and private practices in Barbados require registration with the Barbados Medical Council. Medical Training in Barbados is divided into two phases. The first is Preclinical, lasts three years and takes place outside Barbados on either of the neighbouring Islands of Trinidad and Jamaica. Once the first phase is complete, students return to Barbados and undertake a further two years of Clinical training at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Due to the small size of the island, Doctors are never working in isolation and Barbados has an extremely efficient ambulance service with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital accepting calls island-wide. The Government operates the Barbados Drug Service which controls the distribution and importation of essential medication in Barbados. The Drug Service objective is to ensure that patients receive affordable, quality pharmaceuticals and drugs.
Convalescence in Barbados
Hospitals in Barbados are likely to provide residential care to patients on medical holidays and many hotels on the island also cater to medical tourists so it's the perfect place to recuperate. There is a range of accommodation available in Barbados, from Luxury 4 and 5 star hotels, villas, condos and all inclusive resorts to cheaper self contained apartments, beach houses, guest houses and B&Bs so there will be something to suit every patients taste and budget. Recently, resort spas have become popular in Barbados and can be the perfect place for patients to pamper themselves post-treatment. With its sandy beaches, gorgeous public gardens and a stunningly beautiful view round every corner, Barbados is an idyllic island paradise in which to convalesce.
Barbados Travel Information
Visas are not required to enter Barbados for residents of many countries including the US, UK and Canada. There are a number of accommodation options available including many internationally known hotels. The price does vary, with Guest Houses and B&Bs usually being the cheapest option. You can also rent apartments which are especially suitable for families. Barbados is not the cheapest of Islands but there are budget options available to travellers. A meal for two in a decent restaurant will cost on average around $30, or $16 in a cheaper restaurant, and a one way ticket on public transport is around $1. Barbados is easily accessible from the US and Europe with daily international flights available.
Barbados Quick Facts
| Location:
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| Languages |
English, Bajan |
| Population |
284,589 |
| Currency |
Barbadian Dollar |
| Capital |
Bridgetown |
| Major Airports |
Bridgetown (BGI)
|
| Electricity |
115 Volts at 50 Hz |
|