WILLEMSTAD - CMC emphasizes that patients need not worry about the availability of medical appointments in 2024. The hospital states that it operates with an open appointment schedule that looks ahead at least a year, and some departments even plan two years in advance. Automatic appointment extensions are updated weekly.
The medical board of Curaçao Medical Hospital is responding to questions from the Inspectorate regarding the accessibility of medical care on the island.
In a letter to the interim Inspector-General of Public Health, Sirving Keli, CMC states that most departments can schedule direct appointments. Exceptions are the ophthalmology and neurology departments, which do have longer waiting times.
This is attributed to a shortage of specialists and anesthesiologists. In some cases, appointments must be canceled due to staffing shortages, leading to delays.
Departing Specialists
CMC acknowledges that the departure of a specialist, as in the case of the orthopedic outpatient clinic, presents challenges. Currently, 49 patients are waiting for appointments at this department.
The hospital is exploring the possibility of redistributing these patients among the remaining orthopedists, but this may not be possible for everyone due to the specific specialization of the departing specialist.
CMC says steps have been taken to improve the situation. The neurology and neurosurgery outpatient clinics have implemented a six-week schedule for outpatient consultations due to a shortage of neurologists and resident physicians.
This did not affect access time as triage was maintained within 48 hours. With more staff available now, the situation is normalizing.
Causes
According to the hospital, the main causes of growing waiting lists in outpatient care in Curaçao are the increasing demand for healthcare, financial concerns, and the need for reform.
Over the past three years, the demand for medical care has increased by an average of ten percent. This trend continues in 2023, partly due to Curaçao's aging population and a structural lack of attention to healthy lifestyles, prevention, healthcare management, and diagnostics from a primary healthcare perspective.
Both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) have expressed concerns about the financial sustainability of the healthcare system. The IMF emphasizes the need for comprehensive healthcare sector reform to ensure financial stability and mitigate fiscal risks. CBCS warns that the current situation is not sustainable from a fiscal standpoint, as government revenues decline while healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP rise.
Primary Care
Both reports underscore the need to strengthen primary care and implement healthy lifestyle programs and preventive measures. Currently, these crucial pillars of optimal healthcare in Curaçao are lacking, leading to an overload of emergency care and hospital services.