BOGOTA – Curaçao’s Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), Tyron Boekhoudt, held constructive talks with Colombia’s Vice Minister of Public Health and Healthcare Services, Dr. Jaime Urrego, during an official working visit to Colombia aimed at improving the accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare for the people of Curaçao.
The meeting formed part of the Curaçao government’s broader efforts to explore international partnerships and identify practical solutions to challenges facing the island’s healthcare system.
During the discussions, both delegations addressed a range of healthcare issues, including the long waiting lists currently affecting access to specialized medical care in Curaçao. The officials exchanged experiences and ideas on innovative healthcare solutions, preventive care strategies, and more efficient ways of organizing healthcare services.
A key topic was the existing medical cooperation between Curaçao and Colombia. Participants highlighted the potential benefits for patients who are referred to Colombia for treatment through the Social Insurance Bank (SVB). According to the discussions, access to specialized healthcare services in Colombia could offer significantly more favorable treatment costs, creating opportunities to manage healthcare expenditures while enabling more patients to receive care more quickly.
Vice Minister Urrego also shared Colombia’s approach to preventive healthcare and emphasized the important role prevention plays in reducing pressure on healthcare systems and improving long-term public health outcomes.
Minister Boekhoudt stressed the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing in strengthening Curaçao’s healthcare sector.
“We are here to learn, collaborate, and identify concrete solutions that directly contribute to better healthcare for our population,” Boekhoudt said. “Every opportunity to reduce waiting lists and make healthcare more accessible deserves our full attention.”
The working visit is part of a broader exploration of opportunities to expand regional healthcare cooperation and identify innovative initiatives that could benefit patients in Curaçao. Government officials view the mission as an important step toward building a more efficient, sustainable, and patient-centered healthcare system for the island.