WILLEMSTAD – The government acknowledges that the challenges facing the Curaçao Medical Center are rooted in long-standing structural and organizational weaknesses, and cannot be attributed solely to the introduction of the LNT. That assessment is laid out in the explanatory report accompanying the draft decree on higher maximum remuneration for medical specialists .
Inspection reports cited in the document point to chronic understaffing, high work pressure, ineffective planning and limited use of operating rooms outside regular working hours. Waiting lists are not consistently monitored, and in some cases only patients waiting longer than three months are registered, leading to an incomplete picture of demand.
The report also highlights shortcomings in internal coordination, logistics and communication, as well as limited opportunities for professional development. These issues, combined with labor market tightness, have contributed to staff burnout and ongoing turnover.
The government states that raising the salary ceiling is only one instrument within a broader need for systemic reform. Without deeper changes in governance, workforce planning and organizational culture, the report warns that accessibility and quality of care will remain under pressure.