WILLEMSTAD - The budgetary authority was violated during the construction of the new Hospital Nobo Otrobanda (HNO) in Curaçao. This is one of the conclusions from the first day of public hearings by the parliamentary inquiry committee HNO.
Ninon Gerling, auditor and acting secretary of the General Audit Chamber Curaçao, emphasized how the government lost control over the project, resulting in a significant cost overrun.
The construction of the hospital, which turned out to be much more expensive than budgeted, is being scrutinized through fifteen public hearings. Gerling, the first to be questioned, indicated that due to not following procedures and the lack of adequate reporting, the government lost sight of the project. This led to multiple budget amendments outside normal procedures, without full awareness of Parliament.
According to Gerling, the Ministry of Finance should have played a clearer role in controlling the budget. The initial budget of 412 million guilders, to be disbursed in phases, quickly ran out. The increasing reliance on external consultants and the lack of internal knowledge and responsibility at the ministries were also highlighted as critical points.
Political Intervention
The ambitious plan for a new hospital in Curaçao, led by renowned cancer specialist Bob Pinedo, was thwarted by political intervention, revealed during the parliamentary inquiry talks yesterday.
The planned construction of the Hospital Nobo Otrobanda (HNO), crucial for improving healthcare on the island, stalled when the then-government led by Gerrit Schotte demanded the replacement of two key members of Pinedo's team, Suzy Camelia-Römer and Etienne Ys.
This revelation came to light through testimonies from Humphrey Davelaar, former commissioner of health care, and Bob Pinedo himself, deeply embittered by the proceedings. Pinedo, who had developed a visionary plan for a state-of-the-art hospital, felt morally unable to accept Schotte's demands, considering the close collaboration and significant progress his team had made in a short time.
The issues surrounding the realization of the new hospital highlight the complexity and challenges within Curaçao's politics and healthcare. Davelaar depicted a healthcare system in crisis, with overloaded facilities, inequality in care, and an urgent need for modernization and efficiency improvement.
Decision-Making
Pinedo's plan, drawing inspiration from the successful Deventer hospital model, promised a significant improvement in the island's medical infrastructure. With proposals for satellite hospitals and a focus on preventive care, the project had the potential to fundamentally transform healthcare in Curaçao.
However, political decision-making and demands imposed on the project ultimately led to the abandonment of plans. This raises questions about the influence of political interests on essential public services and the future direction of healthcare initiatives on the island.
Curaçao is left wondering how such crucial projects can be shielded from political interference to ensure that healthcare in Curaçao can evolve into a system that benefits all citizens. The failure of the HNO project serves as a reminder of the need for transparency, collaboration, and, above all, prioritizing the common good over political interests.