WILLEMSTAD - According to a report by the Inspectorate of Public Health, the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) is facing a shortage of 3.2 medical specialists. This deficit is impacting the continuity of care within the current context of waiting lists and limited operating room capacity.
The Inspectorate receives weekly updates on the number of doctors working at CMC. This follows the announcement by some doctors that they would leave the hospital due to salary-related issues in the sector.
As of August 31, a total of four medical specialists have retired, with three of them having already left CMC. These specialists represent various medical fields. Combined with changes in work percentages, there is a deficit of 4.2 medical specialists until August 31.
The report states that the CMC management and international organizations are engaged in discussions and interventions to recruit medical specialists promptly, resulting in the addition of one new specialist.
"At present, this is affecting the continuity of care from September 1, within the current context of existing waiting lists and the limited treatment capacity of the operating rooms," according to the Inspectorate.