Health Issues and Facilities

 Grenada General Hospital 

• Dengue fever has been reported in Grenada but is very rare. There are no cases of malaria. The Caribbean area is known for having fairly high rates of HIV infection. Getting vaccinated against tetanus and rabies before you come might be a good idea. Stay away from mongooses, as they have been known to carry rabies

• Other pests mosquitoes can be a nuisance, as can the tiny sand flies that frequent the country areas.  There are centipedes that can give a painful bite, but they are not particularly dangerous. The black ants can also give an annoying bite.  There are wasps, known locally as ‘marabone’ which can also give a painful sting. Look out for small green ‘apple-like fruits’ known as ‘manchineel’. They grow on beaches on the trees, and if they get anywhere near your mouth they will blister you very badly as they are highly acidic. Avoid all contact and do not stand under a manchineel tree if it is raining. Don’t sit directly under a coconut tree if there are coconuts on it, as they may fall off and knock you unconscious, at the very least.

• There are three hospitals in Grenada, the General Hospital in St.George’s, the small Princess Alice Hospital in Mirabeau, St.Andrew’s, and the Princess Royal Hospital in Belair, Carriacou. There are small, primary-care Health Centres in all parishes, including Petite Martinique. Emergency vaccinations are available from the nurses at the Health Centres. Cash payments need to be made at the hospital, unless it is routine emergency treatment.

• Water is routinely chlorinated, and safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available.

• There are NO decompression chambers in Grenada. The nearest one is in Barbados or Trinidad. 

Mosquitoes and other pest

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, as can the tiny sand flies that frequent the country areas.  There are centipedes that can give a painful bite, but they are not particularly dangerous. The black ants can also give an annoying bite.  There are wasps, known locally as ‘marabone’ which can also give a painful sting. Look out for small green ‘apple-like fruits’ known as ‘manchineel’. They grow on beaches on the trees, and if they get anywhere near your mouth they will blister you very badly as they are highly acidic. Do not sit directly under a coconut tree if there are coconuts on it, as they may fall off and knock you unconscious at the very least.

Grenada is generally a safe destination, especially Carriacou and Petite Martinique.  You may need to be careful in St.George’s and Grand Anse and lonely areas, particularly after dark.

There are not always adequate sidewalks, so you may end up walking on the side of the road. Drivers drive on the left hand side of the road, but sometimes have to swerve to avoid potholes. Bus drivers can be a little reckless with their driving, especially with regard to speed.  If you drive a vehicle locally, you must have a local licence, available from police stations and car rental agencies. 

Emergency numbers

Police and Fire Brigade  911

Ambulance (St.George’s) 434

Ambulance (St.Andrew’s) 724

Ambulance (Carriacou) 774

Ambulance waiting times can vary.

Embassies

The American Embassy is situated in L’Anse aux Epines, St.George’s. Contact numbers are 444 1173/4/5 (phone) 444 4820 (fax) and 407 2495 (emergency