WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) has issued an urgent warning to Health Minister Javier Silvania, stating that the hospital’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. In a letter sent Thursday, the CMC's management emphasized the need for immediate measures to prevent specialists from leaving and to ensure the continuity of care.
The CMC attributes the crisis to the National Ordinance on Top Income Standards (LNT). The current salary cap of 386,000 guilders is reportedly insufficient to attract and retain medical specialists. The hospital is urging the government to raise the cap to 501,000 guilders or exempt medical specialists from the LNT entirely. Without these changes, the CMC warns of a significant exodus of specialists starting in January 2025.
The letter highlights unfilled vacancies as a key issue. For example, six foreign candidates for the gastroenterology department declined positions due to the LNT restrictions. Other departments, including ENT (ear, nose, and throat), urology, and ophthalmology, are similarly struggling with staff shortages, resulting in long waiting lists and increased workloads.
The management also expressed concerns about the toll on current staff. “Several specialists have already resigned, and others are considering leaving. This directly impacts the safety and quality of care,” the CMC stated.
The hospital is calling on Minister Silvania to take swift action. “Without a resolution to the LNT issue, attracting new specialists will be nearly impossible, posing a direct threat to public health,” the letter warned.
As the crisis deepens, the CMC underscores the urgency of government intervention to secure the future of healthcare on the island.