WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government will face family doctors in court on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in urgent legal proceedings aimed at ending protest actions that began on Monday over medical consultation fees that have remained unchanged for 14 years.
The government is demanding that general practitioners immediately suspend all protest activities and meetings held during working hours and resume their regular duties within one hour of the court's ruling.
To enforce its demands, the government is requesting a financial penalty of XCG 100,000 for every hour the doctors fail to comply with the judgment.
The legal confrontation comes amid growing tensions between the government and family doctors, who argue that the current reimbursement rates are no longer sufficient to cover the operating costs of their medical practices.
Doctors Demand First Tariff Increase in 14 Years
Family doctors began their protest actions on Monday, November 2, demanding an adjustment to the tariffs they receive for providing medical services.
According to the doctors, their reimbursement rates have not increased in 14 years, despite changes in the costs associated with operating medical practices.
They argue that the existing tariff structure has become financially unsustainable and that an increase is necessary to maintain the viability of their practices.
The dispute centers on the compensation doctors receive for delivering primary healthcare services, which form an essential part of Curaçao's healthcare system.
Family doctors are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medical assistance and play an important role in determining whether additional treatment, specialist care, or emergency intervention is required.
The doctors maintain that the current reimbursement system no longer adequately reflects the financial realities of providing these services.
Government Demands Immediate End to Protest Actions
Rather than allowing the protest actions to continue, the government has initiated summary proceedings, known locally as a kort geding, seeking an urgent judicial order.
The government wants the court to require family doctors to immediately stop all protest activities and meetings taking place during regular working hours.
It is also demanding that doctors resume their normal professional responsibilities within one hour after the court issues its ruling.
The government's legal action is intended to safeguard the continuity of healthcare services, including emergency medical care and triage.
Triage is the process through which healthcare professionals assess patients' medical conditions and determine the urgency of the treatment they require.
The government considers uninterrupted access to these services essential for protecting patients and preventing disruptions in the healthcare system.
XCG 100,000 Penalty for Every Hour of Noncompliance
One of the most significant elements of the government's legal demands is the proposed financial penalty.
The government is asking the court to impose a penalty of XCG 100,000 per hour if the doctors fail to comply with the requested order.
The amount is intended to compel the immediate resumption of medical services and prevent further interruptions to patient care.
However, the requested penalty has not yet been approved by the court.
The judge will determine whether the government's demands are legally justified and whether the requested measures, including the financial penalty, should be imposed.
The proceedings are scheduled for Thursday, November 5.
Healthcare Dispute Reaches Critical Stage
The court case marks an escalation in the dispute between Curaçao's family doctors and the government.
While doctors are demanding higher reimbursement rates to keep their practices financially sustainable, the government is seeking judicial intervention to ensure that medical services continue without disruption.
The case raises questions about how healthcare professionals can pursue improvements in their working conditions and compensation while maintaining access to essential medical services.
The outcome of Thursday's hearing could determine whether the ongoing protest actions must end immediately.
However, even if the court orders the doctors to resume their regular duties, the underlying disagreement over reimbursement rates would remain unresolved.
For Curaçao's patients, the immediate concern is the continued availability of primary healthcare, particularly for those requiring urgent medical attention.
The court's decision will determine whether the government can legally compel the doctors to end their actions and whether the proposed hourly penalty can be enforced.