Successful Collaboration to Professionalize Care in the Caribbean
WILLEMSTAD, July 5, 2024 On June 24-25, healthcare instructors from across the Dutch Caribbean convened to celebrate their successful collaboration with the Amstel Academy, the Dutch Caribbean Hospital Alliance (DCHA), and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (VWS). Together they have facilitated the training of over 600 healthcare professionals and the development of plans for sustainable collaboration. The Amstel Academy reflected on the collective progress and expressed optimism for future collaborations.
In December 2022, instructors from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Saba, under the DCHA banner, collaborated with the Amstel Academy to secure a €1.8 million subsidy from VWS. These funds were designated for acute COVID-19 related healthcare training, bolstering the islands’ resilience through strategic planning and preparation. Extensive research and meetings led to the approval of a comprehensive subsidy application, resulting in the training of over 683 healthcare professionals in various specializations, including emergency, intensive care unit, coronary care unit, diabetes care, and anesthesia nurses. The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) alone trained over 400 healthcare providers, with ongoing programs scheduled until 2025 and 2027.
Recognizing their achievements, hospital instructors from CAS-BES decided to gather in person to evaluate progress, celebrate milestones, and strategize for the future. Fundashon Mariadal hosted the event, organized by Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH). Instructors such as Lisette Riley (A.M. Edwards Medical Center), Antonio Pantophlet (Sint Maarten Medical Center), Macha le Poole (Hospital San Francisco, Fundashon Mariadal), Roxana Maduro and Milbania Werleman (IMSAN), and Chanine Cruden (Curaçao Medical Center) participated.
Over two intensive days, the group engaged in evaluation sessions led by the Amstel Academy and a strategy workshop by HOH. They reviewed future training needs with a focus on developing programs to enhance connectivity and reduce costs across the islands. Instructors also shared insights on educational advancements on correspondent islands, inspiring innovations.
The CMC presented an educational innovation model for DCHA within the regular nursing program, designed to increase practical experience and strengthen professional competencies.
The event concluded with speeches by Professor Lenie Denteneer (HOH), Dr. Giovanni Frans (DCHA), and a video message from VWS.
