WILLEMSTAD – Former Minister of Finance and current MFK Member of Parliament Javier Silvania has publicly expressed his support for nine healthcare institutions in Curaçao that are requesting at least XCG 17.6 million in additional government subsidies to address serious financial difficulties, staff shortages, and years of inadequate salary adjustments.
In a social media statement, Silvania identified the nine institutions and warned that they were experiencing serious financial problems.
“SGR, Capriles Clinic, Betesda, Kuido Integral Banda Bou, Wit Gele Kruis, Hamiëd, Kas Hugenholtz, Fundashon Duna Lus and Birgen di Rosario are facing serious financial problems. They have requested an additional XCG 17.6 million in government subsidies. They can count on my support,” Silvania wrote.
His statement comes as the healthcare institutions increase pressure on the government to provide immediate financial assistance while longer-term reforms to the financing of healthcare services remain under discussion.
The institutions recently sent a letter to Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyron Boekhoudt outlining three specific financial requests.
The first involves a one-time gross bonus of XCG 1,500 for approximately 1,910 healthcare employees, representing an estimated expenditure of XCG 2.9 million.
The second request concerns XCG 6.1 million to finance a one-time salary adjustment of eight percent, which the institutions want paid before the end of 2026.
The largest component is XCG 8.6 million to cover financial deficits accumulated during 2025.
According to information attributed to Rossen-Lucasius, the institutions have been operating with structural financial imbalances for years, with expenditures consistently exceeding revenues.
Some of the organizations reportedly have negative equity, raising concerns about their financial sustainability and their ability to continue providing essential healthcare services.
The financial difficulties are accompanied by an increasingly serious shortage of qualified personnel.
Nurses, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals are leaving for better-paying positions at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), on Bonaire, and in the Netherlands.
The institutions argue that their outdated salary structures make it difficult to compete with other healthcare employers.
As experienced employees leave, those who remain face heavier workloads and increasing pressure, further affecting staff motivation and retention.
Representatives of the nine institutions met with Minister Boekhoudt on September 18, together with advisers from the Ministry of General Affairs and the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).
During those discussions, the organizations emphasized the need for structural improvements in salaries and healthcare financing.
The government has since instructed the Regulatory Authority Curaçao (RAC) to examine the reimbursement rates applicable to healthcare institutions operating under the General Insurance for Exceptional Medical Expenses (AVBZ).
A separate salary study is also expected to determine appropriate compensation levels for employees in the care sector.
However, the institutions argue that they cannot afford to wait for these studies to be completed before receiving financial assistance.
They are requesting emergency funding to bridge the gap until revised tariffs and salary arrangements can be introduced.
Silvania's public support adds a political dimension to the issue, particularly because he is a member of the governing MFK party and previously served as Curaçao's Minister of Finance.
His statement indicates support for the institutions' request, although he has not publicly outlined how the additional XCG 17.6 million should be financed or whether he intends to introduce a parliamentary proposal to secure the funding.
The request also comes at a time when the financial position of Curaçao's long-term healthcare insurance system is under considerable pressure.
According to the SVB's 2025 financial statements, the statutory reserve of the AVBZ fund had fallen to approximately XCG 130,000, while the legally required reserve was nearly XCG 15 million.
The figures raise questions about the availability of additional resources to finance the requested assistance without placing further pressure on the healthcare system.
The government must therefore consider not only the immediate financial needs of the institutions but also the longer-term sustainability of the AVBZ system.
It remains unclear whether Minister Boekhoudt and the government will approve the XCG 17.6 million request, whether the proposed bonus and salary adjustment will be implemented, or what financing arrangements could be used.
For the nine institutions and their approximately 1,910 employees, the immediate concern is securing enough financial support to stabilize operations and prevent further departures of healthcare personnel.
Silvania has now made clear that the institutions can count on his political support. Whether that support will translate into additional government funding remains to be seen.