WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Javier Silvania has formally questioned the government's decision to reduce the annual subsidy for Fundashon Kas di Ansiano Nos Welita by 25%, warning that the funding cut could jeopardize care for elderly residents and place staff salaries at risk.
In a letter addressed to Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) Charretti America-Francisca, Silvania argues that the subsidy reduction could have serious consequences for one of Curaçao's nursing homes and is seeking clarification on the ministry's decision.
Silvania, who previously served as Minister of SOAW, says he visited several elderly care facilities during his tenure and found that many were already operating under difficult financial conditions. According to the letter, some facilities struggle with maintenance, have outdated equipment, and face challenges in recruiting qualified personnel because salaries remain below market levels.
He notes that Nos Welita cares for 35 elderly residents and employs 25 staff members. According to the MP, the subsidy allocated for management and nursing salaries is insufficient to attract experienced professionals, arguing that the annual subsidy earmarked for those positions is significantly lower than comparable salaries within government.
According to the document, Nos Welita received a government subsidy of NAf 1,615,831 in 2025. For 2026, the subsidy was reduced to NAf 1,211,873, representing a decrease of approximately NAf 403,958, or 25 percent.
Silvania states that the ministry made the reduction conditional upon the nursing home restructuring its management and board before the end of 2025. According to the letter, failure to meet those conditions resulted in the subsidy being reduced.
The former minister also points out that Nos Welita challenged the decision through an administrative objection, arguing that it had already met the conditions established by the ministry. According to the letter, the nursing home's board claims it repeatedly requested clarification from the ministry regarding the restructuring requirements but did not receive a written response.
Silvania further states that the subsidy reduction created cash flow problems for the institution, alleging that delayed subsidy payments left Nos Welita without sufficient funds to pay staff salaries for one month.
The letter also references a SOAW-ordered investigation into the nursing home's finances. According to Silvania, the organization's external accountant concluded that the subsidy funds had been spent for the purposes for which they were intended.
In his parliamentary questions, Silvania asks Minister America-Francisca to explain why the subsidy was reduced despite the audit findings, whether the ministry intends to continue the previous subsidy policy, whether the investigation has been completed, and whether additional funds remain available for elderly care institutions.
The minister has been asked to respond to the questions in writing within the applicable parliamentary deadline.