"Gareth Evans" wrote in message
news:beki2l$r2e$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi, I'm from the UK. Do I need to take any jabs (vaccinations) before I go
> to the Bahamas this summer?
>
> Thanks,
> Gareth
Gareth, here's the US State Department's view on health care in the Bahamas,
from their website:
"MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is generally good in Nassau and Freeport,
but it is limited in other areas. Serious health problems requiring
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost
thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash
payment for health services. Persons with serious or life-threatening
conditions normally must be airlifted to hospitals in the United States for
treatment.
There is a chronic shortage of blood at Princess Margaret Hospital in
Nassau, where most emergency surgery is performed. Travelers with rare blood
types should know the names and locations of possible blood donors should
the need arise.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the
United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment
for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who
require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check
with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies
abroad. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas
hospital or doctor or if you will be reimbursed later for the expenses that
you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric
treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful
information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance
programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular
Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,
available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax:
(202)647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite
protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet
site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of
infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website
at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is
available at http://www.who.int/ith."
For their complete list of facts for travelers to The Bahamas, goto
http://travel.state.gov/bahamas.html
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