WILLEMSTAD – The number of visits to the Emergency Department of the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) has decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to the hospital's latest figures, 19,529 patients sought emergency medical care through December, down from 21,370 in 2023. 

Despite the decline, the pressure on emergency services remains high. Over 57% of patients were discharged after treatment, while nearly 20% were referred by a general practitioner. Additionally, 6% were referred internally within the hospital, and about 12% arrived through other referrals. 

Increase in Hospital Admissions and Surgeries 

While emergency visits declined, hospital admissions increased. In 2023, 19,814 patients were admitted, but that number rose to 20,951 in 2024. The average length of hospital stays also increased from 2.4 to 3 days. 

The hospital also performed more surgeries this year. A total of 6,364 surgeries were conducted in 2024, compared to 5,620 in 2023. 

Patient Satisfaction and Areas for Improvement 

CMC also released data on patient satisfaction. In the adult outpatient clinic, 96% of patients reported having confidence in their doctors, while 92% said their doctor communicated clearly. 

However, waiting times remain a major issue. Information regarding wait times received the lowest satisfaction score, with only 50% of patients rating it positively.