🇬🇵 Guadeloupe Healthcare Guide
CHU de Guadeloupe in Pointe-a-Pitre is the main hospital and provides a standard of care consistent with metropolitan France, including specialist services. As a French overseas department, the system operates entirely in French — having your medical history and medication list written in French before you arrive makes any interaction with the healthcare system significantly smoother.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $25 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Guadeloupe (CHU) in Pointe-à-Pitre is the main hospital, functioning as a regional referral centre for several Eastern Caribbean islands. As a French overseas department, the French healthcare system applies, including EHIC acceptance. Les Abymes and Basse-Terre have supplementary facilities. GP visits follow the French pay-then-claim model (€25–50).
Regional referral centre
CHU Pointe-à-Pitre receives medical evacuations from Dominica, St Kitts, and other nearby islands, giving it broader specialist experience.
French system applies
EHIC is accepted. The pay-then-claim model works as in mainland France, including the 70% reimbursement rate.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pharmacies in Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre follow French pharmaceutical standards and are well-stocked. The smaller islands of Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, and La Désirade have limited pharmacy access. Carry your full supply for visits to these dependencies.
Dependencies pharmacy access
Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, and La Désirade have small pharmacies with limited stock. Bring everything you need before island-hopping.
Tips for travellers
CHU Pointe-à-Pitre provides comprehensive specialist care for a Caribbean facility, covering cardiology, oncology, and internal medicine. Complex cases beyond its scope transfer to mainland France. Having your treatment history saved and accessible in French helps specialists review your case, particularly since the CHU also manages referrals from neighbouring islands.
Mainland France transfers
For highly specialist care, transfer to Paris, Bordeaux, or Toulouse is arranged through the CHU.