The
island's population has easy access to a comprehensive health care system which
offers preventative and curative services. There
are eight polyclinics throughout the island. Services offered include Maternal
and Child Care, Family Planning, Health Education, School Health Services, Communicable
Diseases and Environmental Health, Specialised Services which include an X-ray
facility, yellow fever surveillance, an eye clinic, bacteriological analysis,
food testing and a skin disease facility are offered at the island's largest polyclinic,
Sir Winston Scott.
One
general hospital known as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital services the island. It
is located in St. Michael and offers specialised care in areas such as gynaecology,
paediatrics, obstetrics, cardiac surgery, plastic surgery, psychotherapy, radiology,
radiography and ophthalmology.
The
island also boasts the ultra modern private Bay View Hospital in St. Michael.
Part
of the island's health care system is supported by the Barbados Drug Service (BDS)
which was brought into operation in April 1980.
