In Barbados, public spending on health was 4.9 per cent of GDP in 2011, equivalent to US$1,031 per capita. In the most recent survey, conducted between 1997 and 2010, there were 181 doctors, and 486 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people. Additionally, in the period 2007-12, 100 per cent of births were attended by qualified health staff and, in 2012, 90 per cent of one-year-olds were immunised with one dose of measles. In 2010 the UN estimated that 100 per cent of people were using an improved drinking water source and had access to adequate sanitation facilities. The most recent survey, conducted in the period 2000-11, reports that Barbados has 93 pharmaceutical personnel per 100,000 people. Barbados has a national health service, and the general health profile and life expectancy of a developed country.
The largest hospital and main health care centre in Barbados is the government-run Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the outskirts of the capital, Bridgetown. Bayview Hospital, also on the outskirts of Bridgetown, is a major private hospital. There is also a network of district hospitals and polyclinics spread throughout the island delivering publicly funded health care. Barbados has a small but established manufacturing base for pharmaceuticals. The Barbados Drug Service conducts an annual open tender for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, procuring drugs from local manufacturers and, more extensively, from sources in the USA, Canada, South America and Europe.
The most recent act of parliament relating to mental health in Barbados is the Mental Health Act of 1985. Mental health is also covered in general health policy. There are 5.5 mental health outpatient facilities, 3.1 psychiatric beds in general hospitals, 0.4 psychiatric hospitals and 209.3 beds in psychiatric hospitals per 100,000 people (2011).
