WILLEMSTAD – Medical specialists on Curaçao say the government’s decision to raise the salary ceiling for hospital specialists to 110 percent of the LNT norm is a positive development, but insist that further adjustments remain necessary to address growing pressure within the healthcare system.
The National Association of Medical Professionals Employed in Curaçao (LVMPiDC) responded this week to the recently approved ministerial decision allowing certain specialists at government-affiliated hospitals to earn above the standard salary cap established under the National Ordinance on the Standardization of Top Incomes (LNT).
According to LVMPiDC chairwoman Vanessa Marcha, the measure represents an acknowledgment by the government that the current system no longer reflects the realities faced by medical specialists on the island.
“We view this as recognition that the present LNT framework does not adequately match the reality of specialized medical care on Curaçao,” Marcha stated.
The organization has long argued that medical specialists should not fall under the same salary regulations designed for government executives and top public-sector officials.
According to LVMPiDC, the work environment for medical specialists is fundamentally different because doctors operate under continuous pressure, perform 24-hour emergency duties and carry responsibilities directly tied to patient survival and healthcare quality.
Marcha stressed that the debate is not primarily about increasing salaries.
“There is sometimes a public perception that doctors are simply asking for more money, but the real issue is the impact the current system has on Curaçao’s ability to attract and retain enough medical specialists,” she explained.
The association warns that Curaçao continues to face increasing competition from countries such as the Netherlands and other regional jurisdictions seeking highly trained specialists.
While the government chose to increase the maximum ceiling to 110 percent of the LNT norm, the law itself still allows exemptions up to 130 percent in exceptional cases.
LVMPiDC says it will continue pushing for the full use of that legal margin.
According to the organization, discussions on the matter have already taken place repeatedly with officials and stakeholders within the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN).
The debate comes amid broader concerns about healthcare staffing shortages, waiting lists and the long-term sustainability of Curaçao’s medical sector.