WILLEMSTAD – The CBV labor union has challenged the management of Klinika Capriles over what it describes as contradictory statements concerning instructions allegedly given to security guards to perform patient-care duties, including distributing medication during night shifts.
In a letter dated October 15, 2026, addressed to the clinic's management, CBV expressed serious concern about recent communications suggesting that security personnel had denied receiving such instructions.
According to the union, this position contradicts statements previously made by its members during discussions attended by the government labor mediator, lawyers, and representatives of the clinic's management.
CBV maintains that security guards explicitly stated during those meetings that they had received instructions from their supervisor to assume responsibilities involving patients during night shifts, including providing medication.
The union is now questioning how the clinic can suggest that these instructions were never issued when employees allegedly described receiving them in the presence of several witnesses.
The disagreement follows an earlier letter from GGz Curaçao, dated October 13, in which management acknowledged unrest among security personnel and clarified that security guards are not authorized to administer or distribute medication to patients.
In that correspondence, management stated that established medical protocols determine which employees are permitted to administer medication. It also maintained that it had never instructed anyone to assign such duties to security personnel.
Management indicated that an internal investigation would be conducted and that appropriate measures would be taken where necessary.
CBV, however, believes the conflicting accounts require an independent and transparent examination of the facts.
The union is calling for the Public Health Inspectorate to investigate the instructions allegedly issued to security personnel and the responsibilities they were expected to assume.
The dispute raises questions about the division of responsibilities between security personnel and qualified healthcare workers at the psychiatric institution.
It remains unclear whether security guards actually administered medication, how frequently such duties may have been assigned, or who was responsible for issuing the alleged instructions.
The union's allegations have not been independently established, and the clinic's internal investigation has not yet produced publicly available findings.
CBV maintains that an independent investigation is necessary to clarify what happened and protect the interests of both employees and patients.