WILLEMSTAD - In unprecedentedly strong terms, Gilbert Martina, director of the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), has condemned the manipulation by interim Minister of Health, Javier Silvania. For the CMC, the manipulation by this government official is unacceptable.
The sharp criticism follows a recent controversy where the minister reacted with indignation because he was not invited to an internal CMC conference for staff. Martina emphasizes that the CMC no longer accepts such behavior from Minister Silvania, which he considers harmful to hospital care in Curaçao.
The hospital director explains that an employee mistakenly invited the minister to a conference on a subject that did not concern him. Martina criticizes the minister for accepting the invitation immediately, with the aim of gaining political popularity among nursing staff.
The theme of the conference, 'Professional Care with Compassion,' would be ironic, according to Martina, given Silvania's previous statements about waging a 'war to the death' if his instructions were not followed.
Martina draws a comparison between Donald Trump and Barack Obama when choosing a speaker on compassion, indicating a preference for Obama. He uses this comparison to underline why the minister was not welcome at the conference. The director states that allowing Silvania would send the wrong signal to the hospital staff.
The hospital director also expresses concern about Silvania's attitude, which, according to him, poses a threat to the Curaçao community and, in particular, to the island's only general hospital. Martina emphasizes that although many share this opinion, he is one of the few who dares to say it aloud.
This incident sheds light on the tense relationship between the CMC and the – described by many – narcissistic behavior of the Minister of Health. Martina's open criticism of Silvania illustrates the challenges and tensions within Curaçao's healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of professional and respectful communication between government officials and healthcare institutions.