WILLEMSTAD – Three members of the ruling Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) faction in Parliament have requested a public parliamentary debate on the long-standing absence of the Public Health Council, a body they say is essential for safeguarding the quality and direction of healthcare policy on the island.
Parliamentarians Gilbert Doran, David Seferina and Frenciss Lourens submitted the request to place the issue on the parliamentary agenda, noting that the Public Health Council has effectively been inactive for sixteen years.
Curaçao Medical Center
The council ceased to function following the constitutional reforms of October 10, 2010, when Curaçao became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The three lawmakers say they want to exchange views on the matter with Health Minister Tyron Boekhoudt, who is also a member of MFK.
According to the legislators, the absence of an independent advisory body on public health creates risks for the healthcare system, as important policy decisions may be taken without sufficient medical guidance or long-term strategic planning.
They argue that a functioning Public Health Council would help ensure that decisions affecting healthcare are grounded in medical science and practical experience from doctors and specialists, rather than being driven primarily by financial considerations.
The lawmakers warned that without such a council, healthcare decisions may become fragmented and reactive, responding to individual incidents instead of following a coordinated policy framework.
They stressed that a dedicated advisory body could help shape a long-term public health vision, particularly on issues such as prevention, chronic illnesses and Curaçao’s aging population.
The debate request also appears to reflect growing concerns within Parliament over whether some healthcare decisions are being made with cost-cutting as the dominant factor.
The proposed debate could reopen broader discussions about governance and oversight in Curaçao’s healthcare sector, especially at a time when the system continues to face pressure from staff shortages, long waiting lists and increasing demand for specialized care.
It remains unclear when the debate will be scheduled, but the issue is expected to draw significant attention given the central role healthcare plays in public policy and the island’s broader social development.