WILLEMSTAD - The Organization of Medical Professionals (LVMP) at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) has expressed concerns over the current working conditions and unresolved proposals in a letter addressed to the hospital's board of directors. The letter was also sent to the Inspector General of Health and the CMC Supervisory Board.
The medical specialists state that their employment contracts have been unilaterally altered without consideration of their input or contributions. Despite repeated attempts to address their concerns, they claim that their responses have gone unanswered. The frequent cancellations of meetings and negotiations with the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) and the Ministry have exacerbated the situation.
The specialists highlight that they have been working under immense pressure for five years due to a persistent shortage of colleagues. This structural deficit, they say, undermines both the quality of care and their personal well-being. The ongoing uncertainty and high workload have already resulted in the departure of colleagues, raising serious concerns about patient care. The specialists emphasize that they do not wish to be held accountable for any decline in care quality.
The LVMP also criticizes the hospital’s board of directors, accusing them of employing divide-and-rule tactics and resorting to intimidation—behavior the LVMP condemns entirely.
Actions
To emphasize their concerns, the specialists have announced that starting December 27, they will work strictly according to their contracts. This means adhering to a maximum of 52 hours per week, including on-call shifts and availability, providing no additional elective care, and enforcing equal working conditions on Sundays as on other weekdays.