Historic day: Curaçao Medical Center receives its first patients today

WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao’s new hospital opened its doors this morning. Inspector General Sirving Keli approved the relocation of patients from the old hospital to the new one, the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC).

Due to problems with the telephone connection in the new hospital, it was still unknown whether the relocation could continue today. But technicians managed to restore the connections during the evening and at 10:30 PM Keli was able to announce his decision.

Yesterday afternoon at 4 p.m. in the presence of Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) and HNO spokesperson Clifton Wallé, the inspector announced that he had not yet been able to make a decision regarding telephone line problems.

The technicians were given until 8 p.m. to ensure that the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) can be reached by telephone and that calls can be transferred internally.

Keli explained again yesterday afternoon that the Inspectorate evaluated the situation on the basis of various criteria: the building is in order, the medical and technical and IT connections meet the requirements and users know how to work with the equipment and systems. Moreover, the results of the laboratory tests yesterday showed that hygiene is good in the acute axis of the hospital (intensive care, operating rooms and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

But without a telephone connection, it would naturally not be justified to transfer patients from the Sint Elisabeth Hospital (Sehos) to CMC. This issue was resolved last night. Keli said at the press conference in the afternoon that computer systems and internet connections work in the new hospital.

Last night Gilbert Martina, transition and operation director of CMC announced that the safety of patients at CMC is guaranteed. Martina says that visitors will notice that work is still taking place.

Martina indicated that three departments will remain operational in Sehos for the time being because these departments are not yet operational in the CMC. This includes the Cathlab, radiotherapy and intervention departments. CMC leases these facilities from Sehos, Martina explains. All patients treated in Sehos are therefore the responsibility of CMC.




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