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Health standards and the quality and quantity of medical facilities can be a concern for people planning vacations. In Aruba, tourists have little to worry about.
Most hotels have made accommodations in case their guests are ill or injured, and if Aruba can't provide the services needed, an airlift to a nearby facility (in Curaçao) is available. Aruba also holds the world's second-largest desalination plant, so water is safe for consumption.
Immunizations
The only medical requirement for people over the age of 6 months is a yellow fever vaccination if traveling from an infested locale. The vaccination certificate will suffice as legal proof. Despite few reported cases of dengue fever, it might be wise to consider taking the appropriate precautions for this disease as well.
Medical Facilities
For emergencies beyond hotel assistance, there are a host of quality hospitals with reputable staffs to further assist you. For after-hours emergencies, the emergency rooms of Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital (Phone: 297-587-4300) or Centro Medico (Phone: 297-582-0840) are open 24 hrs. Both facilities are equipped to handle non-urgent medical attention as well. Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital has staff on-call, and appointments are mostly made through your hotel. Centro Medico's consulting hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. If Aruban medical services are not sufficient for the problem at hand, an airlift can be arranged on behalf of Mr. Richard Rupert (Phone: 297-582-9197). Burn victims, however, are referred to burn centers in the United States.
Medical Insurance
Be sure to talk with your insurance carrier before traveling to Aruba, or any destination for that matter. It is possible that some U.S. insurance plans do not cover medical expenses incurred while traveling. Medical expenses in Aruba for tourists can be costly, so if your insurance company does not provide you with sufficient coverage, you should obtain traveler's insurance or other supplemental coverage before visiting the island. If you plan to participate in any water-related activity during your vacation, then a separate diver protection insurance is available.
Physicians
Many of Aruba's hotels keep an in-house doctor for consultation and general practice. Hotels also have the ability to schedule dental appointments for travelers with local dentists (on-call) if necessary. Be sure to consult the concierge before making the trip to the hospital. If necessary for emergency, the hotel physician has jurisdiction to direct the patient to the hospital. The emergency department at most hospitals has a physician on site 24 hrs. a day. Types of physicians include: general practice, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, radiology and anesthesiology.
