WILLEMSTAD – All patients who are currently in Colombia for medical treatment through Curaçao’s Social Insurance Bank (SVB) are safe and in good condition following the powerful earthquake that struck the country Tuesday morning.
The SVB issued the update amid concerns among relatives in Curaçao about patients receiving medical care abroad.
According to the SVB, the earthquake was clearly felt in the Colombian capital Bogotá, where established safety protocols were immediately activated. No damage has been reported at the hospitals or accommodation facilities used by patients under the SVB program.
Medical care in Bogotá is continuing normally.
The situation is also stable in Barranquilla. Because the city is farther from the earthquake’s epicenter, no particular incidents or problems have been reported there. All scheduled medical treatments are proceeding as planned.
The SVB said it understands the concerns of relatives on Curaçao and the other islands following reports of the earthquake. However, the agency stressed that no medical or logistical problems involving its patients have occurred at any of the locations.
The SVB will continue to closely monitor developments in Colombia and said relatives will be informed immediately should the situation change.