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Health Care, Disease Control, Crime and Safety in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Vincentian Ministry of Health is given the official mandate to implement health care system across the country. Regulation of health practices, operations, and facilities is carried out by this executive body under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer. Likewise, it takes care of accreditation and registration of medical practitioners.

World Health Statistics for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines revealed remarkable data for 2006. Garnered data revealed that GDP spending for health care is 6%; life expectancy at birth are 66 years (males ) and 74 years (females); mortality incidence for children is 20 (out of 1000 live births); and mortality incidence for adults (out of 1000) are 301 (males) and 167 (females).

Provision of health facilities is made possible through health care establishments that include one general hospital, five district hospitals, and 38 health centres. Kingstown General Hospital (209 beds) provides emergency and all other medical services. District hospitals (58 beds) offer in-patient health services in rural administrative areas. Health centres render simple and remedial medicinal solutions all throughout the nine health districts. Also, there is the Mental Health Centre (120 beds) for psychiatric services.

Health insurance is provided by private institutions controlled and regulated by the National Health and Insurance Program. Drugs and medical supplies are secured through centralized procurement services under the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Vaccines are also made available through the Pan American Health Organization.

Some medical reforms and programs are instituted by the State are National School Health Program, Nutritional Support Program, Family Life Education Program, National Family Planning Program, etc. All these are implemented by Health units (such as Health Education Unit and Health Information Unit) in partnership with relevant executive ministries.