WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Association of General Practitioners has announced arrangements for emergency medical care during a protest action scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026. Five designated medical locations across the island will be available to handle emergency cases while family doctors participate in the action.
According to an announcement, the association has established emergency medical posts in Santa Rosa, Mahaai, Savaan, Otrobanda and Banda Bou to ensure that patients requiring urgent medical attention can still obtain assistance.
The arrangements are intended to maintain access to emergency primary healthcare services during the protest, although the announcement does not specify the hours of operation or the extent to which regular consultations will be affected.
The five designated emergency locations are Sentro Mediko Sta. Rosa, near the practice of Dr. Wallid Elhage; Sentro Mediko Asculapius in Mahaai; Sentro Mediko De Savaan; Mangrove Medical Center, located in the Huisartsenpost (HAP) building in Otrobanda; and the medical practice of Dr. Janga in Banda Bou.
Patients requiring emergency assistance during the action are being directed to these locations.
The announcement does not explain the specific reasons behind the family doctors' protest or identify the demands being made by the association.
Protest Comes Amid Wider Healthcare Sector Concerns
The planned action takes place against a backdrop of growing concerns within Curaçao's healthcare sector about financial sustainability, employment conditions and the funding of medical services.
In recent weeks, several healthcare institutions have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response to financial pressures affecting their operations.
Nine healthcare and social care organizations recently requested urgent discussions with Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, Finance Minister Charles Cooper and Health Minister Tyron Boekhoudt after expressing disappointment with the lack of immediate financial relief.
Minister Boekhoudt has acknowledged the sector's concerns but warned that meeting the financial requests of healthcare institutions would require nearly XCG 18 million in one-time expenditures and more than XCG 6 million in additional annual spending.
The minister has maintained that new financial commitments must be supported by sustainable funding arrangements.
However, no direct connection between those funding disputes and Monday's protest by family doctors has been established in the available announcement.
Patients Urged to Take Note of Emergency Arrangements
The Curaçao Association of General Practitioners plays a role in supporting family doctors and promoting the quality of primary healthcare on the island.
Under Curaçao's healthcare system, family doctors serve as the first point of contact for many patients, including those insured through the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).
The association advises patients to remain informed about their doctor's arrangements for urgent medical care, particularly when regular practices are unavailable.
Residents who require medical assistance on Monday should take note of the five designated emergency locations and contact their regular doctor's office where possible to confirm whether appointments will proceed.
For life-threatening medical emergencies, residents should continue to use the emergency medical response system rather than delay treatment because of the protest. Curaçao's emergency number for life-threatening situations is 910.
The announcement does not indicate how many family doctors will participate in the action, how long the protest will last or whether normal services will resume immediately afterward.
For now, the five emergency medical locations are the principal arrangements announced to maintain access to urgent primary healthcare services during Monday's action.