WILLEMSTAD - The PAR faction in Parliament says it is concerned about the public statements made by the Minister of Health regarding the quality of care at CMC hospital. The Minister's statements could damage confidence in the public healthcare and the professionalism of Curaçao’s caregivers. “We urge the Minister to focus on the well-being of patients and healthcare workers through dialogue, to ensure the tranquility and quality of care that our community deserves,” says the party in a press release.
A grieving family that has lost a loved one might have questions and strong opinions about the treatment their loved one received. It's understandable that they seek their rights through institutions like the Medical Disciplinary Board, the Department of Health Inspection, and even the Court of Justice. PAR says it has understood that this has taken place and that there has been a verdict in the case, considering it dates back to 2019.
However, for a Minister responsible for Public Health to publicly question the quality of nurses' and healthcare workers' work without seeking accurate information undermines public confidence in our healthcare and the professionalism of our caregivers.
Furthermore, PAR states, it worsens when the Minister publicly sustains statements that question the care provided by professionals during the COVID-19 period, insinuating that mistakes were made due to other reasons (lack of care) and that an investigation is necessary.
In other words, according to the Minister, professionals manipulated information or provided subpar care to patients.
Caregivers work daily under immense pressure, says the PAR faction. Along with this, the tension publicly apparent between the Government and CMC has further affected the working environment at CMC. The role of a Minister of Health is to create an environment where healthcare professionals can perform their duties with as much tranquility as possible, ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve.