WILLEMSTAD – After approximately 40 years in healthcare, Sirving Keli has retired from his position as Curaçao's Inspector General of Public Health, closing a career that spanned clinical medicine, epidemiology, public administration and healthcare oversight.
Keli joined the Inspectorate of Public Health in November 2018 and later became the country's Inspector General. Prior to that, he held a variety of leadership positions within Curaçao's healthcare system.
Before joining the inspectorate, Keli served as Sector Director of Health at the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature and worked for many years in management and epidemiological roles at the former St. Elisabeth Hospital.
A trained physician, Keli graduated in 1986 and later specialized in the Netherlands, where he also earned a doctorate. Throughout his career, he worked with public health organizations, hospital management teams and various healthcare commissions.
In addition to his government responsibilities, Keli has maintained an academic presence. He is associated with Avalon University School of Medicine, where he serves as a professor of epidemiology and evidence-based medicine and as associate dean of research.
Reflecting on his career, Keli described the position of inspector-general as one of the most demanding jobs in healthcare.
According to him, an inspector must remain independent and impartial, focusing not on institutions or personal relationships, but on protecting patients and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
Despite retiring from government service, Keli says he is not stepping away from healthcare entirely and hopes to continue sharing his experience and expertise in the years ahead.