Antigua and Barbuda - Health



Four institutions are maintained for the care of the sick and aged. Holberton Hospital, with 135 beds, is the only public acute care facility. The only private hospital is Adelin Medical Center. Holberton suffered hurricane damage in 1995, and plans are under way for construction of a new facility. Other facilities include the Fiennes Institute for the aged, with 100 beds, and the Mental Hospital, with 150 beds. In addition, 9 health centers and 18 dispensaries are located throughout the country. In 1995 there were 11 doctors and 218 nurses. As of 1996, there were an estimated 1.1 physicians, 3.3 nurses, and 0.2 dentists per 1,000 people.

The infant mortality rate in 2002 was estimated at 22 per 1,000 live births, up from 12 in 1998. The total fertility rate was estimated at 2.3. The average life expectancy was 71 years. As of 1995, 100% of the population was immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus and 94% against measles, mumps, and rubella. There were 16 cases of tuberculosis between 1996 and 1999 and 3 cases were reported in 1999. The leading causes of death between 1996 and 1999 included cancer, cardiovascular disease, and trauma.

As of 1995, 70 cases of AIDS had been reported and in 1999 AIDS started to rank among the 10 leading causes of death. By the end of 1999, 271 cases of HIV/AIDS had been reported; 14 new cases were reported in 1999. As of that year, the annual incidence of AIDS was 209 per million people. The government approved a national policy on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in 1997.

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