WILLEMSTAD – In an effort to address the urgent shortage of ophthalmologists on Curaçao, the Minister of Health has granted Curaçao International Clinic (CIC) a permit to provide ophthalmological care. This move aims to alleviate the island's growing healthcare crisis, which has left many residents without access to necessary eye care.
The shortage has become critical following the departure of the only ophthalmologist at Advent Hospital, who left the island despite personal mediation efforts by Minister Javier Silvania. The minister emphasized that the issue is not related to the Salary Standardization Act (LNT), a regulation that has previously been cited by medical specialists at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) as a reason for leaving. According to Silvania, Advent's compensation for specialists is well below the LNT ceiling.
Broken Agreements with Advent Hospital
Minister Silvania has expressed frustration with Advent Hospital for failing to honor agreements made to address the shortage. As part of a previous arrangement, Advent was to implement a rotating system that brought ophthalmologists from Mexico to Curaçao. These specialists were expected to perform surgeries locally, with post-operative care also provided on the island.
“They started this process a few times but then stopped altogether. I don’t understand why, especially since I supported Advent with permits and financial aid at the time,” Silvania explained.
Advent has recently approached the minister again for financial assistance. However, Silvania has made it clear that further aid will be conditional on the hospital demonstrating goodwill by resuming medical services. “Only then can we discuss additional support,” he stated.
CIC Steps In to Fill the Gap
With Advent falling short of its commitments, Curaçao International Clinic (CIC) has now been granted permission to offer ophthalmological care. This private institution is expected to play a key role in addressing the growing demand for specialized eye care services, particularly surgeries and post-operative care.
Government’s Role in Facilitating Solutions
Minister Silvania reiterated that the responsibility for recruiting specialists lies with the hospitals themselves. The government’s role is to facilitate the process, such as by expediting permits and registrations for incoming specialists, in collaboration with the Inspector General of Public Health, Sirving Keli.
While CIC’s involvement offers a glimmer of hope, the minister acknowledged that urgent action is needed across all three licensed hospitals on the island to ensure that the population has access to critical ophthalmological services.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges within Curaçao’s healthcare system, highlighting the need for accountability and effective partnerships between private institutions, hospitals, and government authorities.