WILLEMSTAD - The Rhuggenaath cabinet is sticking to the decision to cut back between 70 and 80 million guilders in health care in Curaçao.

This was stated by the interim Minister of Health, Nature and the Environment Zita Jesus-Leito during a government press conference yesterday.

The cutbacks have no consequences for the availability of medicines in Curaçao, said inspector Dr. Sirving Keli. In recent weeks, a quarrel between the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) and drug inspectors have created the impression that Curaçao may be faced with a shortage of medicines. That is not correct, according to inspector Keli.

Jesus-Leito indicated yesterday that Curaçao has no choice but to cut back in health care. According to the minister, the population spends much more money than is received in the field of public health.

In addition, the high operating costs of the Curaçao Medical Center, for example, must be paid, the minister stated.