Antigua and Barbuda’s public spending on health was four per cent of GDP in 2011, equivalent to US$748 per capita. In the most recent survey conducted, between 1997 and 2009, there were 17 doctors, and 328 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people. Additionally, in the period 2007-12, 100 per cent of births were attended by qualified health staff (2007-12) and in 2012, 98 per cent of one-year-olds were immunised with one dose of measles.
The country is divided into six medical districts and a district medical officer is appointed to provide medical services in each district. The provision of primary health care is delivered through health centres that are located within a 3 km radius of every major settlement. The country’s public health system has a National Drug Formulary that provides a total of 360 different drugs, guaranteeing availability of medication to all people suffering from chronic conditions. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the health of the nation and is financed mainly through allocations from the Ministry of Finance.
The current mental health laws under the Mental Treatment Ordinance have been in place since 1957. There are 10.2 outpatient facilities per 100,000 people and 124.2 beds in psychiatric hospitals (2011).
