WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s only general hospital, the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), is facing a critical crisis that could soon jeopardize the island’s basic healthcare. Doctors are warning that ongoing staff shortages and postponed surgeries are placing the entire system at risk.
CMC is the sole provider of specialized cancer care and emergency services on the island. However, this vital role is under threat. “Doctors are leaving, vacancies remain unfilled, and new specialists are barely showing interest,” said one physician, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions.
Salary Cap Driving Specialists Away
One of the main causes, according to medical staff, is the implementation of the National Ordinance on the Standardization of Top Incomes (LNT). This law sets a salary ceiling for senior positions in the public and semi-public sectors. As a result, working as a medical specialist in Curaçao has become financially unattractive.
Many doctors are choosing to work abroad, where they receive better pay and more opportunities for professional growth. Young medical professionals from neighboring countries such as Colombia are also avoiding Curaçao, citing language barriers and lower salaries.
Operating Theaters Frequently Closed
The hospital’s operating rooms are no longer functioning at full capacity. Due to a lack of staff, six operating theaters are frequently closed, leading to delays in scheduled surgeries. “Patients who need urgent operations are now directly at risk,” one specialist stated.
The burden on remaining staff continues to grow. Senior physicians are working excessive hours, and temporary contracts have become the norm. “We are at the eleventh hour,” said one internist. “If immediate action isn’t taken, the system will collapse—patients will be the ones who suffer.”
A Vicious Cycle of Decline
Healthcare workers describe a vicious cycle: poor working conditions drive doctors away, and each departure increases the pressure on those who stay. This has already led to more patients being sent abroad for complex treatments—an option that is both costly and emotionally draining for families.
Doctors are calling on the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN) to urgently implement structural solutions. They say realistic employment terms, policies to attract young physicians back to the island, and official recognition of the severity of the crisis are urgently needed. “We’re seen as part of the problem, while in fact, we’re calling for help,” said one hospital surgeon.
Urgent Measures Demanded
Healthcare professionals are demanding immediate emergency measures: adjustment of the salary cap for medical staff, improved staffing policies, and a strong signal from the government that it is taking the healthcare crisis seriously.
Without swift intervention, Curaçao risks losing the only fully equipped hospital in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
