Health care in Trinidad and Tobago
Encyclopedia
Trinidad and Tobago
operates under a two-tier health care
system. That is, there is the existence of both private health care facilities and public health care facilities.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for leading the health sector. The service provision aspect of public health care has been devolved to newly created entities, the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). Responsibility for the provision of health care services in Trinidad and Tobago was devolved from the Ministry of Health to Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) with the passing of the Regional Health Authorities Act No. 5 in 1994.
While the Ministry of Health does not directly run health facilities, it is required to play a key role in ensuring that they are properly run, by setting policies, goals and targets for Regions based on assessment of real health needs. This is the main role of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry also allocates resources to the RHAs to finance their operations. The Ministry of Health is shifting its focus to concentrate on policy development, planning, monitoring and evaluation, regulation, financing and research. Citizens can access free health care at public health care facilities where health insurance is not required. However, the government is developing the National Health Service in which apackage of services is to be determined, as well as a financing strategy.
Several major hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago are:
These hospitals are aided by many DHF'S (District Health Facilities) located throughout the country.
Recently, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has launched CDAP (Chronic Disease Assistance Programme).
The Chronic Disease Assistance Programme provides citizens with free prescription drugs and other pharmaceutical items to combat the following health conditions:
There are over 250 pharmacies throughout the country that provide medications through CDAP. All citizens of Trinidad & Tobago are eligible. There are no age restrictions or exceptions.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
operates under a two-tier health care
Two-tier health care
Two-tier health care is a term used to describe a situation that arises when there is a basic health care system financed by government providing medically necessary but perhaps quite basic health care services, and a secondary tier of care for those with access to more funds who can purchase...
system. That is, there is the existence of both private health care facilities and public health care facilities.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for leading the health sector. The service provision aspect of public health care has been devolved to newly created entities, the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). Responsibility for the provision of health care services in Trinidad and Tobago was devolved from the Ministry of Health to Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) with the passing of the Regional Health Authorities Act No. 5 in 1994.
While the Ministry of Health does not directly run health facilities, it is required to play a key role in ensuring that they are properly run, by setting policies, goals and targets for Regions based on assessment of real health needs. This is the main role of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry also allocates resources to the RHAs to finance their operations. The Ministry of Health is shifting its focus to concentrate on policy development, planning, monitoring and evaluation, regulation, financing and research. Citizens can access free health care at public health care facilities where health insurance is not required. However, the government is developing the National Health Service in which apackage of services is to be determined, as well as a financing strategy.
Public and private
Public Healthcare is free to everyone in Trinidad and Tobago and is paid for by the Government and taxpayers. Healthcare services are offered on a walk-in basis. There are a few major hospitals throughout the country as well as smaller health centers and clinics located regionally throughout.Several major hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago are:
- Port of Spain General HospitalPort of Spain General HospitalPort of Spain General Hospital is a hospital in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.It is located on Charlotte Street in the city and serves as the main hospital.-External links:http://www3.oag.com/Cities/Detail?city=370&cat=29&item=292015...
located in the country's capital of Port of SpainPort of SpainPort of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
. It is a major trauma centre in the Caribbean. - San Fernando General HospitalSan Fernando General HospitalSan Fernando General Hospital is located in the City of San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. It is considered as the main trauma unit for the Southern region of the Island of Trinidad....
located in the City of San Fernando. - Sangre Grande Hospital
- Point Fortin Hospital
- Mount Hope General Hospital
These hospitals are aided by many DHF'S (District Health Facilities) located throughout the country.
Reform
The Ministry of Health is mandated to provide a functioning health-care system to benefit all citizens. This had led to the reforming of the entire health-care system in the country.Recently, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has launched CDAP (Chronic Disease Assistance Programme).
The Chronic Disease Assistance Programme provides citizens with free prescription drugs and other pharmaceutical items to combat the following health conditions:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Cardiac Diseases
- Arthritis
- Glaucoma
- Mental Depression
- High Blood Pressure
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)
- Epilepsy
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Thyroid diseases
There are over 250 pharmacies throughout the country that provide medications through CDAP. All citizens of Trinidad & Tobago are eligible. There are no age restrictions or exceptions.