WASHINGTON, D.C. – Curaçao’s Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), Tyron Boekhoudt, is in Washington, D.C. for a working visit focused on strengthening regional cooperation and improving Curaçao’s healthcare sector.
During the week, Boekhoudt will participate in the 53rd health meeting of CARICOM’s Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), where representatives from Caribbean countries are discussing several issues that are also important for Curaçao.
The agenda includes disease prevention, chronic illnesses, the availability of healthcare professionals and preparedness for public health emergencies.
Boekhoudt is also attending meetings of the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Separate discussions with PAHO are planned on strengthening primary healthcare, improving health information systems and increasing access to medicines.
An important part of the visit is Curaçao’s Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2031, which will guide cooperation between Curaçao and PAHO over the coming years.
Priorities under the strategy include strengthening primary healthcare and prevention, combating diseases and developing a stronger and more efficient healthcare system.
The talks come as Curaçao continues to confront challenges affecting its healthcare sector, including the need to ensure sufficient personnel, improve prevention and maintain access to essential medical services.
Boekhoudt said regional cooperation should ultimately produce tangible improvements for Curaçao.
“We want to use regional cooperation to achieve concrete results for Curaçao. Prevention, high-quality healthcare and accessibility to healthcare are central to this work,” the minister said.
The Washington meetings also provide Curaçao with an opportunity to coordinate more closely with Caribbean countries facing similar healthcare challenges and to strengthen its relationship with PAHO as the island works on its healthcare priorities for the 2026–2031 period.