Here’s a comprehensive overview of the healthcare system in Saint Martin, broken down by the French side (Saint-Martin) and the Dutch side (Sint Maarten):
French Side – Saint-Martin
Healthcare System Type:
Public healthcare system funded and managed by the French government.
Residents have access to France’s national health insurance (Sécurité Sociale).
Main Hospital:
Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming (located in Concordia, near Marigot)
Offers emergency services, surgery, maternity, pediatrics, radiology, and lab tests.
Modern but limited in highly specialized care.
Patients with complex conditions are evacuated to Guadeloupe or mainland France.
Health Insurance:
French nationals and legal residents can access healthcare via the French public insurance system.
EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Tourists need travel insurance or must pay upfront for services.
Dutch Side – Sint Maarten
Healthcare System Type:
A semi-public healthcare system with public hospitals and private clinics.
Not as comprehensive as the French system; depends more on private insurance.
Main Hospital:
St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) – located in Cay Hill, near Philipsburg.
Offers emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, dialysis, and maternity services.
Modern facilities, but patients needing advanced care may be transferred to Colombia, Aruba, or the Netherlands.
Health Insurance:
Locals are covered under the SZV (Social & Health Insurances) for basic care.
Private insurance is recommended for better coverage and faster service.
Tourists are advised to have travel medical insurance.
Medical Evacuation
Patients needing advanced or specialized treatment are flown to:
Guadeloupe or Martinique (from French side)
Colombia, Aruba, or Curaçao (from Dutch side)
Both sides have air ambulance services and agreements with regional hospitals.
Medical Professionals
French side: Mostly French-trained doctors and nurses.
Dutch side: Multinational staff, including Dutch, Caribbean, and Latin American professionals.
Public Health & Disease Control
Programs in place for:
Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya control
COVID-19 (during pandemic) – both sides coordinated on vaccines and testing
Maternal and child health, HIV prevention, and nutrition
