WILLEMSTAD – A financial investigation into Curaçao’s ambulance service FKAK has revealed major shortcomings in management and internal organization, according to the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN). At the same time, a new acting director has been appointed to lead the necessary transition.

Serious Deficiencies in Management

The report shows that FKAK’s budgets were not consistently or timely approved, while much of the administration was still handled manually in Excel, making it prone to errors. Contract management and personnel files were found to be incomplete, the ministry confirmed.

Billing also faced chronic delays, resulting in questionable accounts receivable rising to over 40 percent of revenue in 2023. In addition, salary administration and the payment of social premiums were inadequately secured.

Transition Under New Leadership

The FKAK Supervisory Board has tasked the newly appointed acting director with restoring order. His priorities include formalizing personnel files, preparing for the dissolution of the foundation, transferring staff to a new implementing organization within GMN, and handing over the ambulances to the government under a structural replacement plan.

The Government Audit Office (SOAB) will support the acting director during the transition, particularly in improving governance and financial control.

According to the ministry, these steps mark significant progress toward establishing a future-proof ambulance service for Curaçao.