WILLEMSTAD – Growing unrest in Curaçao's healthcare sector has spread to physiotherapists, who are now demanding government intervention over treatment fees that have reportedly remained unchanged since 1998. The Curaçao Association of Physiotherapists (CVF) says its members have gone 28 years without tariff indexation, while the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) has allegedly been paying XCG 5 less per treatment than the legally established rate.
The association's complaints come amid increasing dissatisfaction among healthcare professionals over reimbursement rates and what they describe as a lack of meaningful dialogue with the government.
According to the CVF, physiotherapists have repeatedly attempted to raise their concerns with the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), but their requests for discussions have not resulted in concrete action.
The association maintains that the situation has become increasingly difficult for physiotherapists, who must continue providing essential healthcare services while facing rising operational expenses.
Tariffs Have Remained Unchanged Since 1998
The CVF says the reimbursement rate for physiotherapy treatments has not been adjusted for inflation since 1998.
This means physiotherapists have reportedly been operating under the same tariff structure for nearly three decades, despite increases in the costs associated with running a healthcare practice.
The association has also raised a separate concern regarding payments made by the SVB.
According to the CVF, the SVB has paid XCG 5 less per treatment than the legally established tariff since 1998.
The association emphasizes that this alleged payment difference is separate from the issue of overdue indexation.
In other words, physiotherapists argue that they are facing two distinct financial problems: the absence of inflation adjustments and payments that allegedly fall below the legally prescribed amount.
The CVF is seeking government attention to both issues.
Ministry Accused of Ignoring Requests for Dialogue
The association says it has repeatedly attempted to engage the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature in discussions about the reimbursement system.
During 2025, representatives of the CVF discussed the issue with the minister responsible for healthcare at that time.
On March 4, 2025, the association submitted a formal letter addressing the statutory tariff and the lack of indexation.
According to the CVF, the ministry did not provide a substantive response to the letter, nor did it invite the association to continue discussions.
Approximately two weeks ago, the organization sent another written request for a meeting, this time addressed to the current Minister of Health, Environment and Nature, Tyron Boekhoudt.
The association says that request has also remained unanswered.
CVF chairman Bryan de Vries expressed frustration over the lack of communication.
"We feel that, as a professional group, we are not being sufficiently heard or taken seriously, even though physiotherapists play an essential role in Curaçao's healthcare system every day," De Vries stated on behalf of the association.
The CVF believes that meaningful discussions with the ministry are necessary to address the longstanding reimbursement issues and establish a sustainable financial framework for physiotherapy services.
Healthcare Sector Faces Growing Unrest
The concerns raised by physiotherapists are part of a broader wave of dissatisfaction among healthcare providers in Curaçao.
Earlier this week, general practitioners temporarily stopped working to protest their reimbursement arrangements.
The doctors are demanding an interim increase of XCG 30 per patient per year, arguing that existing compensation is insufficient.
Pharmacists have also intensified pressure on the government.
On Tuesday, the Association of Pharmacy Owners (VAE) issued an ultimatum demanding discussions with the authorities over reimbursement rates.
Like physiotherapists, pharmacists have complained that their tariffs have not been adjusted for many years.
The simultaneous complaints from general practitioners, pharmacists, and physiotherapists highlight growing tensions between healthcare professionals and the government over the financing of primary healthcare services.
These professions provide essential services to patients and play important roles in prevention, treatment, medication management, and rehabilitation.
Pressure Mounts on Health Minister Boekhoudt
The growing dissatisfaction places additional pressure on Health Minister Tyron Boekhoudt to address concerns from multiple professional groups.
While each association has raised specific financial issues, their complaints share a common theme: healthcare providers believe reimbursement arrangements have failed to keep pace with changing economic conditions.
The CVF is particularly concerned about the lack of a substantive response from the ministry despite repeated attempts to initiate dialogue.
The association has not announced a work stoppage or other collective action, but its public statement adds to the mounting calls for government intervention.
For now, physiotherapists are seeking discussions about the legally established treatment tariff, the alleged payment shortfall by the SVB, and the absence of indexation since 1998.
The ministry and SVB have not provided responses within the information made available by the association.
With general practitioners, pharmacists, and physiotherapists now publicly expressing dissatisfaction, the government faces increasing demands to review the financial arrangements underpinning Curaçao's primary healthcare system.