WILLEMSTAD – Former Minister of Public Health Javier Silvania has called on current Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyron Boekhoudt to establish monthly consultations with healthcare organizations and regulatory authorities, arguing that court proceedings, press releases, and official letters will not resolve the ongoing disputes affecting Curaçao's healthcare sector.
In a public statement, Silvania recommended that the minister bring together representatives of the Association of Pharmacy Owners (VAE), the Curaçao General Practitioners Association (CHV), the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), and the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) at least once a month.
According to the former minister, regular discussions involving all relevant parties would provide a more constructive approach to addressing disagreements over healthcare reimbursement, operating conditions, and the financial sustainability of medical services.
"Silvania advises the Minister of GMN to sit down once a month with VAE, CHV, SVB, GMN, and RAC. Summary court proceedings, press releases, and letters do not solve the problem," the former minister stated.
Healthcare Sector Faces Growing Tensions
Silvania's recommendation comes amid several disputes between healthcare providers and the government.
General practitioners recently took industrial action over their reimbursement rates, resulting in significant disruptions to regular medical consultations across Curaçao.
Minister Boekhoudt subsequently initiated summary court proceedings against the Curaçao General Practitioners Association, expressing concern about the consequences for patients and the continuity of healthcare services.
On November 5, the government announced that both parties had reached an agreement based on a proposal from the judge.
Under that agreement, general practitioners were expected to resume regular consultations on November 6, while RAC would conduct an investigation into the existing annual reimbursement rate of XCG 182.30 per patient.
The investigation is scheduled to begin in January 2027, provided that doctors submit the required financial and operational information.
A possible temporary reimbursement increase would also depend on the submission of those figures.
Pharmacy Dispute Adds to Pressure
At the same time, the government has been involved in a disagreement with pharmacy owners over operating hours and reimbursement arrangements.
The Health Inspectorate recently issued enforcement orders against 25 pharmacies that initially failed to comply with instructions to reopen during legally required operating hours.
The pharmacies faced potential penalties of XCG 10,000 per day, up to a maximum of XCG 100,000 each, if they continued to disregard the orders.
All 33 pharmacies on the island subsequently reopened.
Meanwhile, RAC has stated that a proposed investigation into pharmacy prescription reimbursement rates never began because the Association of Pharmacy Owners had not provided the necessary financial documentation.
The regulator maintains that the requested information is essential to determine whether existing compensation accurately reflects pharmacy operating costs.
These developments have placed healthcare financing and relations between the government and medical professionals at the center of public attention.
Silvania Calls for Structured Dialogue
Rather than relying primarily on legal proceedings and exchanges through the media, Silvania is proposing a structured consultation process involving the organizations directly responsible for healthcare delivery, financing, and regulation.
His recommendation would bring pharmacy owners, general practitioners, the SVB, RAC, and the Ministry of Health together at the same table every month.
Such meetings could provide an opportunity to discuss outstanding reimbursement disputes, identify obstacles to regulatory investigations, and address concerns before they escalate into disruptions affecting patients.
Silvania's statement does not specify whether he has formally submitted the proposal to Minister Boekhoudt or whether any of the organizations involved have agreed to participate.
The former minister's central message, however, is that the parties should maintain direct and regular communication rather than allowing disagreements to develop into repeated confrontations.
Focus on Long-Term Solutions
The proposal comes as the government continues to emphasize that adjustments to healthcare reimbursement rates must be supported by independent investigations and verifiable financial information.
Healthcare providers, meanwhile, have expressed concerns about rising operating expenses and the adequacy of existing compensation arrangements.
Silvania's recommendation suggests that these differences should be addressed through continuous dialogue among the organizations involved.
Although the immediate disputes involving general practitioners and pharmacies have resulted in agreements or the restoration of services, questions about healthcare financing remain unresolved.
For the former minister, monthly meetings offer a possible way to keep those discussions moving and prevent further disruption.
His message to the current administration is that lasting solutions will require more than court cases, official correspondence, and public statements. They will require the government, healthcare providers, and regulators to sit together regularly and work through their differences.