In addition to unique spices, Caribbean culture, and year-round sunshine, Grenada and its healthcare system offer various medical services for residents and tourists. This article provides all you need to know about the Grenada healthcare system, including healthcare districts and their facilities, public and private insurance, and the country’s healthcare ranking.
Grenada Healthcare System
Medical infrastructure
Grenada’s public hospitals and private clinics offer quality health and medical care. St George’s General Hospital is the primary medical center in Grenada, with 198 hospital beds. Thirty public health clinics and six health centers are in seven healthcare districts in major cities and rural areas, each with trained medical staff to carry out healthcare treatments.
The Grenada Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Religious Affairs has ten ambulances that provide emergency services to the country’s small 126,887 population.
Is healthcare free in Grenada?
Grenada citizens and expats living in Grenada have free primary healthcare, which the country’s National Insurance Scheme funds. The scheme is funded through payroll taxes and provides a good healthcare system overall, with coverage for treating illnesses like cardiovascular diseases, public hospital stays, and work-related injuries.
Grenada Healthcare Expenditure
The Ministry of Finance funds healthcare with Grenada taxes. The most recent figures from the World Bank reported that public healthcare expenditure in Grenada accounted for 5.7 percent of GDP in 2021.
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Grenada Health Policies
Grenada’s Ministry of Health has:
- National Health Insurance Scheme
- National Mental Health Policy
- National Chronic Non-Communicable Disease Commission
Grenada is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and can respond to radiation emergencies (core capacity 13).
Cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), overseen by the World Health Organization (WHO), collaborates with Grenada by funding health projects, initiatives, and facilities.
Natural Disasters
Grenada has a history of natural disasters. Although the country lies outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, it is still at risk of hurricanes. This is evidenced by the impact of Hurricane Beryl in June 2024, which caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture.
Diseases
Besides the risk of hurricanes, viral diseases are not a common threat in Grenada. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that there were two cases of tuberculosis per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021, and the HIV/AIDS viruses affect less than one percent of the total population.
UNAIDS reported that HIV/AIDS-related deaths in Grenada and other Caribbean nations dropped by 51 percent between 2010 and 2020, and the new HIV infection rate decreased by 28 percent.
According to data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 13.3 percent of the adult population suffered from diabetes in 2021, highlighting significant concerns regarding obesity and high blood pressure among the population.
Health and Mortality Rates in Grenada
Grenadians had an average life expectancy of 72.8 years. Key statistics for the country’s profile regarding health issues include mental health disorders, infectious diseases, and mortality rates based on research by the WHO, the World Bank, and UNICEF.
Statistic | Rate |
Life Expectancy (2021) | 72.8 years old |
Infant Mortality Rate (2021) | 14 per 1,000 births |
Maternal Deaths Rate (2020) | 20.1 per 100,000 |
Age-adjusted Mortality from External Causes (2019) | 48.5 per 100,000 |
Cancer Mortality Rate (2019) | 48.5 per 100,000 |
Mental, neurological, substance use disorders and suicide (MNSS) (2020) | 4,557 per 100,000 |
Grenada Medical Facilities
Grenada has several qualified general practitioners and specialists based at well-equipped testing clinics in towns and cities, which are popular among successful applicants for Grenada citizenship by investment program.
Many resorts provide essential healthcare services in Grenada from general practitioners on staff. You can find independent practitioners for blood tests and other diagnostics outside the resort in local telephone books.
St George’s General Hospital
St George’s General Hospital is a 198-bed public hospital and the country’s primary medical facility.
Contact: 1 473-440-2051 Address: Grand Etang Road, St George Parish, Grenada
Princess Alice Hospital
Prince Alice Hospital is Grenada’s second-largest medical facility.
Contact: 1 473-442-7251 Address: 48MW+2XG, Clabony, St Andrew Parish, Grenada
Mt Gay Psychiatric Hospital
Mt Gay Hospital is a psychiatric hospital providing mental health services, including inpatient care, outpatient support, and rehabilitation programs for individuals with various mental health conditions.
Contact: 1 473-440-1228 Address: Mt Gay, St George Parish, Grenada
Private hospitals
St. Augustine’s Medical Services
The St. Augustine’s facility in St Pauls is one of the biggest private health centers in Grenada.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies in Grenada include:
- Mitchells Pharmacy in St George’s
- Gittens Health Care Pharmacy in Grand Anse
- HealthPlus Pharmacy Ltd in Grenville
- Hills And Valley Pharmacy in St George’s
Most are open from 8 am to 9 or 10 pm, Monday to Saturday.
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Grenada Health Advice for Travelers and Expats
Travelers should read the latest information on government websites like gov.uk and travel.state.gov regarding health and safety in Grenada. Foreigners who require pharmacy prescriptions should bring sufficient medication in its original container with the date and a signed letter from their doctor.
A private health insurance plan will increase the cost of living in Grenada. Still, expats are advised to buy one as the four private hospitals in Grenada provide some of the country’s best primary care and support services. The CDC and the WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travel to Grenada:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Meningitis
- Rubella (MMR)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare in Grenada
Grenada has one of the best health care systems Caribbean for a small nation. Expensive healthcare expenses do not burden citizens, as primary health care services are funded by the National Insurance Scheme. Citizens can seek medical care with pre-approved specialists through a referral system.
Improved governance and sustainable funding through the Grenada citizenship program and non-refundable contributions to the National Transformation Fund, as well as partnerships with international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have also contributed to the high quality of the country’s healthcare system.
According to the WHO, the primary health issues and causes of death in Grenada are:
- Ischemic heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes mellitus
- Low respiratory infections
- Prostate cancer
Pharmacies in Grenade sell common types of medications over the counter. However, only licensed general practitioners can prescribe medication in Grenada, and individuals may be required to provide proof of their health condition beforehand.
According to the Global Nutrition Report, 32.4 percent of adult women and 15.6 percent of adult men live with obesity.
Due to the present risk of the Zika virus in Grenada, pregnant women are advised against traveling to the country. Pregnant women in Grenada are encouraged to take necessary measures to avoid mosquito bites, such as applying insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing. Nevertheless, with the third lowest number of maternal deaths among all Caribbean and Latin American countries, Grenada has proven to be an effective maternal healthcare provider.
The National Insurance Scheme is Grenada’s state-managed insurance system funded by taxes, but it is not a health insurance system. Tax-paying residents can seek medical treatment at one of the country’s thirty medical stations and six health centers.
Citizens must take out a health insurance policy with a private healthcare provider for private healthcare at one of the country’s private medical facilities. Private policies can be paid for through Grenada banks. Insurance companies like Pacific Prime Insurance and MSH International provide comprehensive private healthcare policies with international coverage.
Grenada’s tropical can be problematic for those sensitive to mosquito bites. There is a risk of contracting mosquito-related illnesses such as chikungunya, Zika, and dengue fever, but malaria and yellow fever cases are rare.
Antibiotics are issued by prescription in Grenada, which requires a licensed GP to prescribe them.
