WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) says it is optimistic about its financial outlook, as the government prepares concrete measures to address the hospital’s debts and years of postponed investments.
“Everyone knows we have gone through very difficult financial times,” acknowledged CMC director Johan de Graaf. “But the minister of Finance is working on a restructuring plan, and I am confident this can move forward in the short term. That would mean our finances will be put back in order. The future financial perspective for CMC is actually very positive.”
According to De Graaf, who has been at the helm of the hospital for just over five months, the institution’s financial foundation remains solid. “We are operating on an annual budget that is sustainable. What we have been missing are the funds to replace outdated equipment and to make necessary investments. On top of that, there are debts from earlier loans. The minister has assured us that these issues will be addressed, and I am optimistic about that.”
De Graaf has a longstanding connection with the region. Before accepting the leadership role at CMC, he frequently visited Curaçao as a physician in the Dutch armed forces. His wife has Aruban roots, making the family’s move to Curaçao a natural step. “We once said to each other that if a position opened up on the islands, we would seize the opportunity. When the vacancy at CMC came, I didn’t hesitate,” he explained.
Still, finances are not the only challenge the hospital faces. The growing demand for healthcare on the island is also pressing. “We see more patients arriving with severe conditions, often multiple illnesses at once. Much of this is linked to lifestyle,” said De Graaf. He stressed that prevention and awareness should be priorities. “Healthy eating, regular exercise, and preventive education are often lacking. Tackling this requires cooperation between CMC, the ministries of Health and Finance, family doctors, and local communities.”
With a restructuring plan in the works and a call for greater focus on preventive healthcare, De Graaf believes CMC is entering a new chapter—one that can strengthen both the hospital’s financial health and its capacity to meet the island’s growing medical needs.
