WILLEMSTAD – Years of financial deficits at Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) have forced delays in essential equipment and infrastructure upgrades, with watchdog agency College financieel toezicht (Cft) warning that the hospital's operations are now at risk. In a letter to outgoing Minister of Finance Javier Silvania, the Cft revealed there are no funds allocated for replacing aging medical devices or maintaining facilities – a situation that could compromise healthcare quality and accessibility.
A Budgetary Band-Aid
While the 2025 budget includes emergency funds to stabilize daily operations, the Cft stressed that zero provisions exist for long-term maintenance or capital investments. "Without these critical upgrades, the hospital's ability to provide care will deteriorate," the oversight body stated.
Rescue Plan Stalls Amid Financial Uncertainty
The Cft also raised alarms about delays and complications in the hospital’s broader rescue plan, including the proposed transfer of CMC’s building to the government. Hidden liabilities could worsen the crisis:
Outstanding government claims against CMC may exceed the building’s value, turning the transfer into a financial loss.
No clarity exists on how these risks will impact the 2025 budget, leaving the plan in limbo.
Urgent Call to Action
The Cft demanded immediate transparency from the government, urging officials to quantify all financial risks tied to the rescue plan and revise the 2025 budget to address long-term hospital needs.