WILLEMSTAD – Nine healthcare institutions in Curaçao are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a serious staffing crisis, warning that the continued departure of nurses and caregivers to better-paying employers is placing increasing pressure on healthcare services across the island.
The institutions say they are losing personnel to the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), Bonaire, and the Netherlands, where salaries are considerably higher. According to the healthcare organizations, the existing salary structure is severely outdated and has not kept pace with developments in the labor market.
They argue that the current wage system, which dates back to the previous century, has made it increasingly difficult to retain qualified healthcare professionals.
As employees leave, the remaining staff members face heavier workloads, growing pressure, and declining motivation. The institutions warn that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain and could affect their ability to provide adequate care.
The nine healthcare organizations are calling on the Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) to intervene immediately rather than wait for another lengthy administrative process.
The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) has agreed to finance a new salary study to examine compensation levels in the healthcare sector. However, the institutions argue that the study alone will not resolve the immediate problems they face.
According to the healthcare administrators, months of discussions and administrative delays have failed to produce concrete measures to address the departure of personnel.
They are therefore demanding an interim financial arrangement while the salary study is being conducted.
Their proposal includes a one-time bonus for healthcare workers and an eight percent salary adjustment to provide immediate financial relief and help make employment conditions more competitive.
The institutions believe that these measures could help reduce the departure of experienced personnel and ease some of the pressure on employees who have remained in the sector.
The salary differences between healthcare employers have become a central concern. With nurses and caregivers able to earn significantly more at CMC or outside Curaçao, smaller healthcare institutions face considerable challenges in attracting and retaining qualified professionals.
The situation also raises concerns about the longer-term sustainability of healthcare services, particularly in institutions that depend on experienced nursing and caregiving personnel.
The organizations argue that addressing the staffing shortage requires more than recruitment efforts. They believe that improving salaries and working conditions is essential to preventing further departures.
Although the SVB-funded salary study could provide a basis for structural adjustments, the institutions maintain that immediate action is necessary to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
It remains unclear whether the government will support the proposed bonus and eight percent salary adjustment, how much the measures would cost, or how they would be financed.
The nine institutions are now pressing the GMN minister for a concrete response, warning that further delays will place additional strain on healthcare workers and the services they provide to Curaçao's population.