Health care in Bahamas

There are always certain tips that would help any visitor to venture into any country. Here are some health care tips that could be of great help to the visitors in Bahamas and also a bird’s eye view on the hospitals available in the region.

• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers aged over one year traveling from an infected area. Information on health precautions for travelers can be obtained from local health departments, private doctors, or travel clinics. You may also call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 24-hour hotline on (404) 332-4559 or check the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov for information on immunizations and health risks worldwide.
  
• Tap water is safe to drink although it can often be salty in taste. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.  
  
• Review your health insurance policy U.S. medical insurance is often not valid outside the United States. Medicare/Medicaid does not provide payment for medical services obtained outside the U.S. In addition to medical insurance, consider obtaining insurance to cover evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness. Considering air evacuation to the United States can easily cost $15,000 if you are not insured, insurance to cover a medical evacuation is relatively inexpensive. There are short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Ask your travel agent about them or look for ads in travel publications.
  

Excellent medical facilities are available on the islands, but these services can prove expensive thus medical insurance is recommended.

Medical Facilities

1: Rand Memorial Hospital

East Atlantic Drive

Tel: 242-352-6735

2: Lucayan Medical Centre (East)

Tel: 242-373-7400

3: Lucayan Medical Centre (West)

Tel: 242-352-7288

4: IAT (Cancer) Research Centre

P.O. Box F-42689
Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

Tel: 242-352-7455, Fax: 242-352-3201

Website: www.iatclinic.com

5: Sunrise Medical Centre

P.O. Box 42575

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

East Sunrise Highway

Tel: 242-373-3333, Fax: 242-373-3342

The most prevalent health hazard in the Caribbean is one you can avoid overexposure to the sun. Use sunscreen and bring a shirt to wear over your bathing suit, especially if you plan to snorkel. Where the quality of drinking water is questionable, bottled water is recommended. Travelers to remote areas should boil or chemically treat drinking water.