The St Kitts and Nevis healthcare system has modernized significantly, as reinforced by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis’s announcement regarding the implantation of a high-speed, state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) network to modernize the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
Without mentioning St Kitts and Nevis as the innovator of economic citizenship, the quality of healthcare it provides plays a pivotal role in the country’s appeal as a Caribbean destination for retirees and expats. Stay tuned as we guide you through critical aspects of the St Kitts and Nevis medical system, including specialized and emergency care services, healthcare expenditure, public healthcare policies, and critical health concerns faced in the country.
St Kitts and Nevis Healthcare System Overview
Medical care facilities in St Kitts and Nevis comprise 17 healthcare centers, 11 in St Kitts and 6 in Nevis. The public health system runs on a centralized framework governed by the St Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health, which enforces regulations concerning the administration of medical services to the population.
St Kitts and Nevis’s primary trauma facility is Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre, which has 156 beds. The primary hospital on Nevis Island is Alexandra Hospital. Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Dr Terrance Drew, announced in February 2024 that structural improvements were being carried out at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.
Unlike several Caribbean countries, St Kitts and Nevis has no national health insurance scheme to provide free healthcare services. Nevertheless, the government subsidizes essential treatment, with some being free. A government Social Security Fund supports health treatment and services related to disability, maternity and child health, and survivor benefits, pensions, and funeral expenses.
As reported in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report (HDR) for 2024, St Kitts and Nevis ranked 51st out of 193 countries and at the top of CARICOM nations, one contributing factor being healthcare quality.
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St Kitts and Nevis Healthcare Expenditure
The Government of Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis Ministry of Finance funds the country’s health system through St Kitts and Nevis taxes and social security contributions from taxpaying citizens and expats living in St Kitts and Nevis. The latest statistics published by the World Health Organization in 2021 revealed that 6.11 percent of St Kitts and Nevis’s GDP accounted for health expenditure, with per capita expenditure reaching $1,114.
St Kitts and Nevis Health Policies
Health policies and regulations the St Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has implemented include:
- Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance
- Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project
- Heath System Strengthening Project
- Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project
The St Kitts and Nevis Government and Taiwan (Republic of China) formally announced their cooperation in July 2024 to launch the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project, an initiative to improve accessibility to mental health services and enhance and expand available services in St Kitts and Nevis.
Cooperation with the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported St Kitts and Nevis in several healthcare endeavors. St Kitts and Nevis endorsed the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) policy created by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) by establishing the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance, which focuses on quality healthcare and health education.
Together with the WHO, St Kitts and Nevis drew up a National Disaster Plan in 2013 to form effective response measures to natural and man-made disasters and mitigate their impact. This includes hurricanes and global health issues like the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Health policies and regulations the St Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has implemented include:
- Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance
- Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project
- Heath System Strengthening Project
- Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project
The St Kitts and Nevis Government and Taiwan (Republic of China) formally announced their cooperation in July 2024 to launch the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project, an initiative to improve accessibility to mental health services and enhance and expand available services in St Kitts and Nevis.
Cooperation with the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported St Kitts and Nevis in several healthcare endeavors. St Kitts and Nevis endorsed the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) policy created by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) by establishing the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance.
Together with the WHO, St Kitts and Nevis drew up a National Disaster Plan in 2013 to form effective response measures to natural and man-made disasters and mitigate their impact. This includes hurricanes and global health issues like the COVID-19 Pandemic.
St Kitts and Nevis Medical Facilities
Foreign investors considering St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment and permanently moving to the country have access to medical facilities across the two islands.
Joseph N. France General Hospital: Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre is St Kitts and Nevis’s primary hospital and most equipped medical facility. The hospital has a trauma ward, a maternity ward, and a high-tech laboratory for diagnostics. Contact: 1 869-465-2551
Alexandra Hospital: Alexandra Hospital is the only hospital on Nevis Island and provides essential medical care to the island’s residents. Contact: 1 869-469-5473
Mary Charles Hospital: Mary Charles is a ten-bed St Kitts and Nevis hospital with an emergency medical technician (EMT) ambulance base and a resuscitation and trauma room serving residents of Bourryeau and surrounding towns of Christ Church Nichola Town Parish. Contact: 1 869-465-7398
Private hospitals
Meridian Medical Centre: Meridian Medical Centre in Basseterre is a private facility. Contact: 1 869-465-3306
Pharmacies
Pharmacies in St Kitts and Nevis include:
- Pharmcarre in Basseterre
- Essential Plus Pharmacy in Frigate Bay
- All Care Pharmacy in Old Road Town
- City Drug Store Nevis Ltd in Charlestown
Natural Disasters
Diseases
Though hurricanes and cyclones are a risk to St Kitts and Nevis residents, viral diseases are rare. The World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report reported an average of two tuberculosis cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022. UNAIDS.org revealed an HIV infection incidence rate of 0.32 people per 1,000 population in 2023. A study by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) disclosed that in 2021, the prevalence of diabetes in St Kitts and Nevis’s adult population was 18.1 percent.Health and Mortality Rates in St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis citizens had an average life expectancy of 72.2 years in 2023. Crucial data for the country’s profile regarding health issues include infant mortality and crude death rates based on research by the WHO, the World Bank, and UNICEF.
Statistic | Rate |
Life Expectancy (2023) | 72.2 years old |
Infant Mortality Rate (2022) | 13.3 per 1,000 births |
Crude Death Rate (2022) | 10 per 100,000 |
St Kitts and Nevis Health Advice for Travelers and Expats
Before visiting St Kitts and Nevis, obtaining the latest health advisories from reliable sources like who.in and cdc.gov is important. Travelers who require prescription medications should bring sufficient supplies in their original dated and signed containers.
The cost of living in St Kitts and Nevis, including comprehensive private health insurance options, is affordable compared to the United States. That being said, the small twin-island federation has limited medical services, including early detection tests for certain health issues.
Private healthcare plans from reputable insurance companies will provide flexible healthcare options and resources, including emergency evacuation coverage.
The travelhealthpro.org.uk and the WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travel to St Kitts and Nevis:
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Tetanus
- Rabies (Bat Lyssavirus)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- Rubella (MMR)
Take a look at our St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare in St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis hospitals like Joseph N. France General Hospital prove a good standard of healthcare for most residents. Support from international partners and organizations like Pfizer and the World Health Organization has led to some healthcare initiatives that have increased healthcare resources, including chronic disease management and prevention measures, leading to St Kitts and Nevis offering some of the best possible healthcare in the Caribbean.
There are three public hospitals in St Kitts and one in Nevis.
Concerning health risks, bon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the predominant causes of death in St Kitts and Nevis. Healthcare challenges include heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes.
While some Caribbean countries offer free universal healthcare or national insurance schemes, St Kitts and Nevis healthcare services are not free. Patients can pay for medical treatment through a foreign or St Kitts and Nevis bank card. However, the government does subsidize some treatments through a Social Security Fund.
Located in Basseterre, St Kitts, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) is one of the Caribbean’s most renowned medical schools, producing some of the Caribbean’s best physicians and specialized healthcare workers. It has cutting-edge training facilities, a comprehensive curriculum, and international accreditation from accrediting bodies like the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM).
