Antigua Healthcare: Medical Services for Travel to Antigua

Healthcare in Antigua and Barbuda is among the country’s strongest selling points. Ambulatory care is mostly free for citizens of all ages and foreign residents who meet the residency and contribution requirements. For everyone else, a fixed co-payment is required.

With healthcare being a key consideration for those seeking citizenship, Global Citizen Solutions created this guide to outline essential information regarding Antigua healthcare services, including infrastructure and expenditure, healthcare policies, natural disasters, health risks, and vaccine considerations.

Key Details:

Antigua and Barbuda provides mostly free ambulatory healthcare to citizens and qualified residents through Medical Benefits Scheme contributions.

The Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, formally named Mount St John Medical Center, is Antigua and Barbuda’s primary hospital.

The country has invested in healthcare infrastructure, including a hyperbaric treatment facility, which was activated in December 2025.

Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya remain health considerations for citizens and visitors.

Antigua and Barbuda faces hurricane risks, which can affect healthcare infrastructure, tourism, and food and water supplies.

International private health insurance is available for Antigua and Barbuda.

A new-patient consultation at Bowen Medical in St John’s costs around EC$250 (about US$93), although prices vary between providers.

Healthcare infrastructure

Antigua and Barbuda is a healthcare provider in the Caribbean region. The Sir Lester Bird Medical Center (formally Mount St John’s Medical Center)  in the capital city of St John’s is the island’s largest medical facility and underwent a five-year redevelopment between 2005 and 2009.

The nation consists of six medical districts:

• Saint John District
• Saint Mary District
• Saint Paul District
• Saint George District
• Saint Peter District
• Saint Philip District

Each has a medical officer responsible for medical treatment. The most recent State of the Environment Report by the Department of Environment, Antigua and Barbuda, states that health centers are located within three kilometers of each major settlement and are responsible for delivering primary care.

Public health clinics in Antigua and Barbuda provide services ranging from dentistry to testing for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Antigua and Barbuda has a National Drug Formulary prepared by the National Drug Formulary Committee. It is mandatory for use at public healthcare clinics, and a government health plan reported that the formulary contained 360 generic drugs.

Antigua and Barbuda residents and visitors previously had to travel to Saba or Guadeloupe for treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 decompression sickness; however, the island’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Center activated its emergency hyperbaric response facility in December 2025, thanks to a hyperbaric chamber donation from the Calvin Ayre Foundation.

Ambulatory (outpatient) healthcare in Antigua is generally free through the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) for Antigua and Barbuda citizens and foreign residents who have lived in the country for at least 12 months and contributed to the scheme for six months. A Medical Benefits Scheme contribution sets aside revenue to fund universal health coverage, including mental health treatment.

• The contribution is 3.5% of wages for employed individuals over 16 and under 60, which the employer matches.
• Self-employed individuals over 16 and under 60 contribute 5%. Employed and self-employed individuals over 60 and under 70 contribute 2.5%.
• Employers contribute 7% of the earnings of all employees who earn under EC$ 400 (~$148).

The Ministry of Health sets the MBS rates in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and governs the country’s health sector and receives MBS contribution funds from the Ministry of Finance. 

According to the Global Health Expenditure Database from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Antigua and Barbuda government spent 3% of the country’s GDP on healthcare, which includes funds generated by the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program. 

The government has also created special policies and plans for mental health, non-communicable diseases, aging, and health information systems. 

• In June 2026, Antigua and Barbuda’s Mental Health Care Bill 2026 launched the first anonymous youth mental health chatline of member states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
• Antigua and Barbuda is an active participant in regional health initiatives supported by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, a civil society organization focused on preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases across the Caribbean.
• It has enacted new legislation through the Food Safety Act 2017, as well as tobacco control, under the National Strategic Plan introduced in 2016.

The Caribbean healthcare in Antigua is mostly free through the Medical Benefits Scheme. Through the scheme, the national government provides free medication, outpatient medical treatment, and medical supplies to individuals diagnosed with chronic non-communicable diseases such as chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. 

Many of these conditions are related to lifestyle and can, therefore, be prevented through cost-effective measures focused on diet, exercise, obesity, and decreased tobacco use and alcohol consumption. As such, the scheme now includes prevention and targets child health as part of its programs. 

The health systems in Antigua and Barbuda are largely financed and operated by the Government, while many agencies have provided health cooperation on the islands over the years, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC).

In addition to establishing a private-public partnership (PPP) with the Cancer Center of the Eastern Caribbean for the provision of affordable, quality healthcare and cancer treatment, the Ministry of Health has implemented several plans:

• A non-communicable disease policy and action plan
• A mental health policy
• A National Policy on Aging

Antigua and Barbuda has also taken steps to fulfill the core capacities of the International Health Regulations (IHR). For instance, the nation became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency in October 2015, thereby enabling the medical system’s response to radiation emergencies (core capacity 13). 

The World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization provides funding for projects and other initiatives to improve healthcare in Antigua. The WHO has also implemented the Country Cooperation Strategy from 2018 to 2024, which was reinstated in 2026 as part of the PAHO/WHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2031. 

The WHO has five main areas of focus. The first is establishing a more universal healthcare system to enable universal health coverage for more citizens. This will mainly be achieved by strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) to better align with citizens’ needs.

The next priority concerns eliminating diseases and NCDs, while priority three focuses on reducing risk. Measures to reduce NCD cases include the integration of mental health and substance abuse in the PHC.

Antigua and Barbuda’s history of natural disasters is primarily related to hurricanes. While the risk of hurricanes for those living in Antigua is quite low–with only a 33% chance of a hurricane affecting the island each year, according to the Voluntary National Review (VNR)–the nation has been hit by several hurricanes, including Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. 

Hurricane Irma left Barbuda uninhabited for the first time in modern history, as Barbudans evacuated to Antigua. However, the effects of these hurricanes can be more severe. For example, they can threaten both residential and commercial Antigua and Barbuda real estate, food security, water quality, tourism, and even the health of citizens.

While natural disasters (including tropical storms) pose a threat to the islands, HIV/AIDS affects less than 1 percent of the total population.

Antigua health and mortality rates

Investment in Antigua and its healthcare system has raised the average life expectancy by over three years between 2000 and 2024. Antiguans and Barbudans have a life expectancy of 77.8 years. Here are some key statistics for Antigua’s country profile regarding health issues, including mental health disorders, infectious diseases, and mortality rates based on data from the WHO, the World Bank, and UNICEF. 

Antigua is home to a network of 27 community health centers, including Sir Lester Bird Medical Center in St John’s, Antigua, and Hanna Thomas Hospital in Codrington, Barbuda. Citizens can access ambulatory healthcare through this network for free, whereas those who hold Antigua and Barbuda permanent residency and visitors must generally pay for services or have appropriate health insurance to cover their medical expenses. Notably, the nation has achieved nearly full coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases through its healthcare system.

The country boasts several qualified general practitioners and specialists, as well as well-equipped testing clinics. It is important to note that while Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare services are considered adequate, some major conditions cannot be treated. As such, you should check in advance if the facility near you can treat any conditions you and your family may have.

For tourists, larger hotels typically have a general practitioner as part of their staff. If there isn’t one, you can ask the front desk or reception for a recommendation for the appropriate doctor or specialist. Alternatively, you can find a doctor, ophthalmologist, or dentist in the local telephone book, as their contact information is listed there, or through online searches.

Sir Lester Bird Medical Center activated its emergency hyperbaric response to treat Type 1 and Type 2 decompression sickness in December 2025.

Sir Lester Bird Medical Center

Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, the main medical facility in Antigua, is a 185-bed teaching hospital accredited by the Caribbean Medical Council Association and adhering to international standards. Medical Director Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis stated that the hospital was running at 158-bed capacity in February 2026 due to staff shortages.

Services provided include casualty, intensive care, maternity, pathology, pharmacy, radiology with the latest digital technology, surgery, a children’s ward, and a special care unit for babies born prematurely.

The center also offers health promotion and prevention programs for diabetes and hypertension, as well as antenatal care. In addition, the hospital has its own blood bank and provides medical treatment in dialysis, nephrology, oncology, reconstructive surgery, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. The hospital activated its emergency hyperbaric response to treat Type 1 and Type 2 decompression sickness in December 2025.

Address: Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, Michael’s Mount, St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda
Contact: +1 (268) 484 2700

Other medical centers

Hanna Thomas Hospital: Hanna Thomas Hospital is a public hospital in Barbuda. It provides treatment through its medical and nursing staff, with facilities including a public health department, a pharmacy, and emergency facilities. The hospital works alongside the Barbuda Community Health and Wellness Center to provide healthcare to Barbudan residents.

Address: J5HC+J59, Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua & Barbuda
Contact: +1 (268) 736 5094

Fiennes Institute: The Fiennes Institute is an elderly healthcare facility that provides quality care for elderly citizens and residents. It has 100 beds, six wards, and a staff of over 20 nurses. This facility can be is available to citizens and foreigners who retire in Antigua. 

Address: Fiennes Institute, Queen Elizabeth Highway, St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I.
Contact: +1 (268) 562 9420

Pharmacies

Most pharmacies open at 9 am and close at 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Ceco Pharmacy in St John’s provides full prescription drug services and is open from 8 am to 7 pm. The majority of the nation’s pharmacies are concentrated in St John’s. Pharmacies in other cities include Dockyard Pharmacy Plus in Nelson’s Dockyard, OmniCare Pharmacy in Cedar Grove, and Heartland Pharmacy Plus in Jolly Harbour.

Health insurance is important for both expats and travelers when considering healthcare services at hospitals in Antigua. Antigua’s public healthcare offers basic services, especially in rural areas, leading many visitors and citizens to opt for private health insurance for more comprehensive and faster treatment.

Banks in Antigua do not offer private health insurance policies. Private policies must be purchased from a standalone insurance provider or through an international health insurance company.

Coverage options range from routine care and check-ups to specialized treatments and medical evacuation for medical issues that require treatment abroad. For those considering the cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda, rates will vary depending on the network of accessible clinics, pre-existing medical conditions, preauthorization, and evacuation or repatriation needs. 

Tourists who require medication are advised to bring sufficient supplies of all medications in their original labeled containers to Antigua. Expats moving to Antigua and Barbuda should bring sufficient medical supplies and arrange a suitable health plan to obtain the medication they need while living there. In addition to their medication, expats should have:

• A dated and signed letter from their primary doctor describing their health condition
• A list of the medication

Expats should also ensure that they have proper health coverage and sufficient accessible funds to pay for any medical treatment and repatriation they may require during their visit.

You should visit your doctor at least four to six weeks before your trip to confirm whether you require any vaccinations. When exploring things to do in Antigua and Barbuda or relocating to the country, there are some important points to consider:

• Dengue fever is endemic to the Caribbean region and can disrupt tourism at any time of the year.
• The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) categorizes the nation as a risk area for the transmission of the Zika virus.
• The World Health Organization reported in June 2025 that Antigua and Barbuda had both current and past cases of the Chikungunya virus.

Rules for Antigua and Barbuda immigration require travelers over the age of one to present proof of yellow fever vaccination if they are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission or have transited through one for more than 12 hours.