WILLEMSTAD – The Health Inspectorate of Curaçao has officially withdrawn from the investigation into the newly purchased ambulances by the government foundation Fundashon Kuido Ambulans na Komunidat (FKAK) due to a family connection between the Inspector-General and FKAK’s interim general director. 

The decision was confirmed by Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), Javier Silvania, in a letter addressed to FKAK’s Board of Commissioners. 

While the Inspectorate acknowledged it has the technical expertise to evaluate whether the vehicles comply with local laws and regulations, it chose to step back in light of the public controversy surrounding the ambulances. The agency stated it aims to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. 

“A favorable outcome of the investigation could wrongly be attributed to family ties,” the Inspector-General wrote in a letter dated July 7. 

The Inspectorate further clarified that technical evaluation of emergency vehicles is not part of its core responsibilities. Given the potential conflict of interest, it strongly advised FKAK to hire an independent and specialized external firm for the assessment. The agency added that it would be willing to review the findings from such a third-party evaluation and offer advice upon request. 

Minister Silvania endorsed this recommendation, stressing in his letter that safety, quality, and public trust in the ambulance service must remain paramount. He urged FKAK to engage a “qualified and independent party” to conduct the necessary evaluation. 

The ambulance procurement has already sparked public criticism, including questions about the choice of vehicles and allegations of internal conflicts of interest within FKAK. The Minister’s call for transparency and external oversight marks a key step in addressing these concerns.