Willemstad, October 24th, 2021 – In a letter from the Health Inspector, Prof. Sirving Keli, dated October 20th, 2021, he expects Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) to resume elective care for SVB patients starting Monday, October 25th, 2021. But this is not a responsible decision without the funding to cover expenses related to material and medication. Continuing these services can result into fatal consequences for patients requiring emergency, acute or essential care between the coming month and the end of this year.
In a letter today, Sunday October 24th, CMC explains to the inspector that CMC has a responsibility to provide emergency, acute and essential care. In addition, it is a medical ethical responsibility that is also required by law.
So if CMC continues elective care for SVB patients at this moment, the situation will come to a point in the following months where neither material nor medication will be available to treat, for example, patients requiring dialysis, chemotherapy or radiation, or those involved in accidents.
As a healthcare provider CMC is responsible for providing care to all patients and for the economic functioning of the hospital. The national ordinance (landsverordening) that Prof. Keli is referring to also indicates that CMC is required to carry its operations in a responsible manner. A stop of elective care for SVB-insured is the only responsible alternative in order for CMC to guarantee that patients requiring emergency, acute or essential care can receive their medical treatments until the end of the year.
CMC profoundly regrets that this point was reached despite the multiple attempts, including letters to the designated institutions and minister in addition to a court appeal to come to a concrete solution for the budgeted care. But, CMC also indicates the hospital will be ready to restart elective care as soon as it receives confirmation that the necessary funds are made available.
