Here’s some quick advice on what to do, along with some information on how to deal with certain specific health issues.
What body manages the health sector?
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is the primary governing authority, charged with overseeing the health sector (health.gov.tt). It is responsible for policy development and execution, maintenance of physical infrastructure of all public healthcare facilities, and providing standard healthcare to the population, including communicable and non-communicable illnesses and mental health.
Where are the main facilities located?
The primary public Accident and Emergency (A&E) facilities are located at:
• Port of Spain and San Fernando General Hospitals
• Sangre Grande and Scarborough Regional Hospitals
• Point Fortin Hospital
• Paediatric Department of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex
There are also numerous district health facilities throughout the country, namely:
• Arima
• Mayaro
• Chaguanas
• Couva
• Princes Town
• Siparia
Contact numbers can be found at the MOH website.
Can foreigners access public health care?
Public healthcare is open to everyone, although coverage for prescriptions and other medical services may not be offered to non-citizens. Many clinics may require you to enrol as a patient, which might not be feasible for short-stay visitors
Are there also private hospitals and clinics?
Trinidad and Tobago is well served by several world-class private medical care facilities which you can access for a fee. Among the largest and most frequently used are:
• West Shore Medical Private Hospital, Westmoorings (westshoreprivatehospital.com)
• St. Augustine Private Hospital, St. Augustine (saphtt.com)
• Sanjivani Women’s Hospital, St. Augustine (facebook.com/sanjivaniwomenshospital)
• Medical Associates Hospital, St. Joseph (medicalassociatestt.info)
• Southern Medical Clinic, San Fernando (smctt.com)
• Gulf View Medical Centre, San Fernando (gvmctt.net)
• The Surgi-Med Clinic, San Fernando (surgimedtt.com)
• Calder Hall Medical Centre, Tobago (calderhallmedicalcentre-tobago.com)
Note that some clinics have facilities on both islands.
Where to go for more specific conditions
The clinics listed above are well equipped to offer guidance and treatment for most health conditions and are your best first option. There are a few other facilities that offer specialised care for specific conditions.
Cancer
Cancer treatment is available free for all citizens at leading facilities, including the St. James Medical Complex (health.gov.tt/health-facilities/st-james-district-health-facility). However, non-citizens are expected to pay.
If you require treatment for cancer during your stay, you are advised to seek the help of a private doctor or visit the private facilities listed above for the necessary referrals. Seek the guidance of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society (cancertt.com) for more information.
Other notable treatment centres are:
• Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre, St. James (cancercentrett.com)
• Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Specialists, Port of Spain (pinkhibiscustt.com)
Heart Disease
Many of the public and private care facilities noted above have cardiology departments. You might also want to seek private care at:
• Caribbean Heart Care Medcorp Ltd. (cheartcare.com)
• The St. Augustine Heart Centre, St. Augustine
• Advanced Cardiovascular Institute, Cocorite (acicares.com)
• Premier Heart Care Ltd. (www.premierheartcarett.com)
(both Trinidad and Tobago)
Glaucoma or Cataracts
As usual, most of the public and private hospitals have their own ophthalmology departments. In addition, several providers offer care for eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts. Some of these are:
• Advanced Vision Technologies, Maraval (avtt-tt.com)
• Precision Cataract Surgery Ltd., St. James (precisioncataractsurgerytt.com)
• Trinidad Eye Hospital, San Fernando and Tunapuna (trinidadeyehospital.org)
Knee Challenges or Knee Replacements
Orthopaedic treatment, including for knee replacement and other joint issues, can be sought at the institutions listed above as well as clinics such as:
• The Fracture and Orthopaedic Clinic, St. Clair (faoconline.com)
• The Orthopaedic and Spinal Clinic, San Fernando (osiltt.com)
Mental Health
Most community health facilities provide ‘walk-in’ services. If you are experiencing severe mental health symptoms such as the urge to cause harm to yourself or others, or demonstrating erratic or violent behaviour, it is imperative to go to the closest emergency centre listed above, whether public or private.
The primary facilities offering mental health care are the St. Ann’s Hospital for Mental Health (health.gov.tt/health-facilities/st-anns-hospital-mental-health) in Trinidad and the Scarborough General Hospital (health.gov.tt/health-facilities/scarborough-general-hospital) in Tobago. They may be able to direct you to private facilities which can support your specific needs.
A complete list of emergency helplines can be found at the MOH website, but here are a few you might find helpful.
• Lifeline (for those who are despairing or suicidal): 800-5588 (toll free), 866-5433 (toll free) or 220-3636. Available 24 hours.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-7283 (SAVE) (toll free). Available 24 hours.
• Rape Crisis Society of Trinidad and Tobago: 24 Hour Hotline: 1(868) 627- 7273
• Bilingual Gender Based Violence Hotline, Ayudate: 866-7428 (toll free) – 6:00 p.m. – 6 a.m.; 471-1227 – 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• The Children’s Authority (for reports of child abuse): call 996 or 800-2014 toll free
Here are a few other mental health resources that might be able to help you:
• Alzheimer’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago, St. James: (alztrinbago.org)
• National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme: 1(868)-627-3506 1(868)-627-3527 Ext: 205, 207
A final word of advice: It’s always a good idea to get adequate insurance coverage when you travel, for financial support and other assistance in times of crisis.
