WILLEMSTAD – The number of medical referrals from the Caribbean Netherlands increased slightly in 2025, according to new figures released by Zorg en Jeugd Caribisch Nederland (ZJCN).
In 2025, a total of 6,971 patients were referred abroad for specialized treatment or diagnostic services, compared to 6,787 referrals in 2024.
Medical referrals occur when treatment is not available on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba. Patients are then sent to healthcare providers in destinations including Sint Maarten, Curaçao, Aruba, Colombia and the Netherlands.
Radiology Most Common Reason
The majority of referrals in 2025 were for radiology-related treatments and diagnostics. Historically, the relative share of referrals for gynecology, surgery and internal medicine was higher in 2020 compared to other years.
Nearly half of all referred patients were between 40 and 65 years old. In each year reviewed, slightly more women than men were referred for treatment abroad.
Curaçao Among Key Destinations
Most patients referred in 2025 originated from Sint Eustatius, primarily due to the need for kidney dialysis. Patients from Saba and Sint Eustatius are generally referred to Sint Maarten, while those from Bonaire are most often sent to Curaçao and Aruba.
For Curaçao, the figures underscore the island’s continued role as a regional medical hub within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) remains one of the key facilities receiving patients from Bonaire for specialized care.
The steady increase in referrals highlights both the limited medical capacity on the smaller islands and the growing demand for specialized healthcare services across the region.