Dementia is a growing crisis in Curaçao, yet the resources allocated to combat it remain insufficient. Despite the presence of a National Dementia Plan, the reality is stark: specialized care is lacking, financial support is minimal, and informal caregiving is unsustainable. According to Drs. Raymond Jessurun, coordinator of the Caribbean Alzheimer’s Association, the only viable path forward lies in securing financial backing from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, leveraging legal obligations that mandate equal healthcare access across all its territories.
The Dutch State's Legal Obligation
Drs. Jessurun's argument is rooted in the fundamental legal principle that the Dutch state must ensure non-discriminatory healthcare access for all citizens within the Kingdom, including those in Curaçao. This principle was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Netherlands stepped in to provide equal health protections throughout its territories. The same standard should apply to dementia care.
Key legal frameworks support this claim:
Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) guarantees healthcare as a fundamental human right.
Article 2 of the ICESCR mandates non-discrimination and the use of all available resources to ensure equal healthcare access.
Article 29 of the Treaty on Treaties affirms that ratified treaties apply across the entire Kingdom, preventing the Netherlands from excluding Curaçao.
Article 43b of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands holds the Kingdom accountable for upholding human rights, good governance, and legal certainty in all territories.
Article 2b of the Curaçao State Arrangement establishes international treaties as binding law in Curaçao.
Article 4b of Curaçao’s National Ordinance on Comptability allows for financial cooperation from the Netherlands.
Together, these provisions create an undeniable obligation for the Kingdom to ensure that dementia care in Curaçao receives structural and sustainable funding.
Financial Strategy: Kingdom Responsibility, Not Just Local Burden
The prevailing assumption that dementia care funding is solely Curaçao’s responsibility is both unfair and legally flawed. Given the island's limited financial resources, Kingdom-level funding is not just a moral imperative but a legal necessity.
The solution requires a two-pronged approach:
Budget Adjustments & Political Advocacy
Curaçao’s policymakers must push for funding allocation within the Kingdom's budget, ensuring that dementia care is not treated as a local afterthought.
Lobbying Efforts in the Netherlands
A coordinated campaign involving healthcare professionals, legal experts, and political leaders is necessary to pressure the Dutch government to fulfill its obligations.
A Feasible but Politically Challenging Strategy
The legal basis for securing Kingdom funding is strong, yet its implementation faces political hurdles. The Dutch government has often resisted direct financial interventions in Curaçao’s domestic affairs unless under exceptional circumstances. However, dementia care qualifies as an urgent, structural need that cannot be ignored.
Curaçao’s leaders must engage in relentless advocacy to ensure that healthcare policies align with legal commitments. If executed effectively, this approach could guarantee sustainable funding for dementia treatment, improving the lives of countless citizens and ensuring equitable healthcare within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
