🇧🇸 Bahamas Healthcare Guide
Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau handles most emergencies for New Providence, but healthcare across the Out Islands is limited to small clinics with basic capabilities — Grand Bahama's Rand Memorial is the only other facility approaching hospital-level care. If you're island-hopping, knowing which islands have a clinic and which don't is worth checking before you go.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $25 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: low
Healthcare overview
Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau is the Bahamas’ main public hospital, while Doctors Hospital (private) offers faster service and modern facilities. New Providence and Grand Bahama have adequate medical infrastructure, but the Family Islands (Exumas, Eleuthera, Abaco) rely on small clinics with limited capabilities. Serious cases from outer islands are airlifted to Nassau. GP visits at private clinics cost $60–100 USD.
Family Islands limitations
Outer islands have basic clinics staffed by nurses or visiting doctors. For anything beyond first aid, air transfer to Nassau is standard.
Doctors Hospital in Nassau
Doctors Hospital is the Bahamas’ main private facility, with direct booking and shorter waits than the public system.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Nassau’s pharmacies carry most common medications, though prices are higher than the US mainland due to import costs. Pharmacies on outer islands stock basics only. Carry your full medication supply, particularly for visits to the Family Islands where the nearest pharmacy may be in Nassau.
High import-driven prices
Medications in the Bahamas cost more than in the US due to import logistics. Carry everything you need to avoid local purchase.
Tips for travellers
Doctors Hospital in Nassau provides some specialist care, but complex chronic conditions are typically referred to hospitals in Miami, which is a 45-minute flight away. Having your treatment plan saved and accessible in English means Nassau providers can manage routine monitoring and determine whether Miami transfer is needed.
Miami proximity
Miami is the primary specialist referral destination, just 45 minutes by air. Having records ready saves time on arrival.