🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Healthcare Guide
Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown on the main island handles most emergencies, but the Grenadine islands — Bequia, Mustique, Canouan — have only small clinics with very basic capabilities. If you're spending time in the Grenadines, knowing that evacuation to Kingstown or Barbados is the protocol for anything beyond minor treatment, and having your medical summary saved and accessible ready to share on arrival, makes the transfer process faster.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $25 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown is St Vincent’s main hospital. The April 2021 eruption of La Soufriere displaced thousands and damaged healthcare access in the island’s north, which is still recovering. The Grenadines (Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union Island) have small clinics for basic care; any hospitalisation requires boat or air transfer to Kingstown.
Northern St Vincent recovery
Areas north of Kingstown were heavily affected by the 2021 eruption. Healthcare access in the north is still more limited than the south.
Grenadines transfer logistics
From Bequia or Union Island, reaching Kingstown by ferry takes 1–2 hours. Air ambulance covers the more distant Grenadines.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Kingstown has pharmacies with common medications. Bequia has one small pharmacy; other Grenadine islands have none. Having your medication list accessible means a Kingstown pharmacist can prepare what you need before you head to the islands, saving a trip back to the mainland.
Pre-departure medication prep
If sailing the Grenadines, stock up in Kingstown before departure. Some islands have no pharmacy access at all.
Tips for travellers
Milton Cato Memorial Hospital provides general care, but chronic conditions needing specialist input are referred to Barbados (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) or Trinidad. Having your treatment plan and current medication list accessible in English, with dosages clearly noted, means either referral destination can pick up your care without requesting records from your home country.
Barbados specialist access
Barbados is the nearest island with broader specialist departments. Queen Elizabeth Hospital regularly receives transfers from St Vincent.