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Planning your elective--Grenada
Mark Wilson's essential information for anyone planning an elective in Grenada
The islands Grenada is a three island state (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique). They are at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuela. To the north is St Vincent and to the south are Trinidad and Tobago. With over 100 miles of coastline, average temperatures between 24 and 30ºC, and some fantastic diving, many people have had very enjoyable electives here.
The medicine As you can see from this month's elective report, rheumatic fever is a still a major problem. Other common conditions include hypertension, diabetes, and tuberculosis. Dengue fever and leptospirosis are also seen.
Visa requirements No visa is required for United Kingdom passport holders (with at least six months remaining on their visa), however, for elective students it is recommended that you take a letter of acceptance from your destination. No student visa is required. For more information contact Grenada High Commission, 1 Collingham Gardens, London SW7 0HW; tel +44 (0)207 290 2275; fax +44 (0)20 7370 7040; email grenada@high-commision.freeserve.
co.uk
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Hospitals on the main island
Grenada General Hospital, St George's, Grenada is the main hospital providing general medicine and surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, anaesthetic, and paediatric specialties. The preclinical medical school and library are here. This is the most popular hospital for electives (especially Australian students). See this month's elective.
Mount Gay Hospital, St George's, Grenada is the psychiatric hospital. It was built for 80 but has 120 beds or mattresses. It's busy, cramped, and has poor facilities.
St Augustine's Medical Services, St Paul's, St Georege's, Grenada is a small private hospital. Visit www.staugustinehospital.com
Princess Alice Hospital, St Andrew's, Grenada is a small public hospital based in the St Andrew's district of the main island.
Hospitals on other islands
Princess Royal Hospital, Carriacou, Grenada is another small public hospital on the neighbouring island.
In addition, the islands have a number of district medical centres (small clinics). Contact the Ministry of Health and Environment for more details. tel +1 473 440 2649; email min-healthgrenada@caribsurf.com
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The medical school St Georges's University School of Medicine, University Centre, PO Box 7, St George's; tel +1 473 444 4357; fax +1 473 444 4823; email sgu-info@mssl.com; www.sgu.edu The school is actually a preclinical school with clinical attachments arranged in the United States, United Kingdom, and their own hospital--St George's. It is also affiliated with the medical school in Kingstown, St Vincent.
Grenada has a lot to offer the travelling medic, however, think about going beyond Grenada. Hang around the yacht club in the summer as there are often yacht owners, wanting an extra set of hands, who could get you a ticket to some of the other Caribbean islands. The Bahamas, Cuba, St Vincent, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Antigua, and St Kitt's are all islands in the Caribbean with hospitals that have previously accepted elective students. To find out addresses of hospitals on these islands, look at www.medicstravel.com
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Key facts
- Population--92 000
- Language--English
- Capital--St George's
- Currency--Eastern Caribbean dollar
- International code--+1 473
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Immunisations
Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and diphtheria are all recommended for travel to Grenada. Rabies may also be advised. There is no malaria risk.
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Mark Wilson author of The Medic's Guide to Work and Electives Around the World, University College Hospital, London
mark@medicstravel.com
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