WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) is currently facing a temporary shortage of pulmonologists, significantly impacting the care of patients with respiratory issues. The shortage has led to increased wait times for consultations, with some appointments having to be canceled entirely.
In a letter dated November 13, the group of pulmonologists at CMC informed the Curaçao General Practitioners Association (CHV) about this unexpected situation. General practitioners have been asked to notify their patients about the extended wait times and to prepare them for potential delays in their treatment process.
Staffing Shortages Impacting Patient Care
The shortage stems from an unexpected reduction in the availability of medical personnel, including specialists and nursing staff. This has resulted in the cancellation of clinic appointments and significant delays in patient treatment. Patients are being informed individually if their appointments need to be rescheduled.
The pulmonology team expressed understanding for the difficult position this places patients in, noting that some individuals have already experienced multiple appointment cancellations. Efforts are being made to find solutions to maintain the quality of care and minimize wait times as much as possible.
Adjusted Schedule and Temporary Measures
To manage the situation, an adjusted schedule prioritizing patients based on the urgency of their condition will remain in effect until February 2025. The hospital expects to have sufficient pulmonologists available starting in January 2025, allowing them to gradually address the backlog and reduce waiting times.
For urgent cases, patients are advised to visit their general practitioners or, if referred by a specialist, proceed directly to the emergency department at CMC. The pulmonologists emphasized that these measures aim to continue providing high-quality medical care despite the current staffing challenges.
The CMC and its pulmonology team remain committed to resolving the issue promptly and ensuring that patients receive the necessary care during this period of reduced specialist availability.