Dear Editor,
The recent appointment of a new CEO at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) was greeted by many as an opportunity for renewal and decisiveness. However, the major structural problems – such as staff shortages, financial instability, and operational stagnation – had long been known, both inside and outside the organization.
What's striking is that the board and management, during this leadership change, mainly repeated old pain points. Chronic understaffing, outdated regulations, and a lack of strategic investments continue to cast a shadow over the hospital. This raises the question: why is there no robust, publicly presented plan to structurally address these challenges?
The expectations of the community in general, and healthcare professionals and patients in particular, are clear: people want a transparent, coherent strategy with clear objectives and measurable results. Recruitment processes, strengthening of local talent development, modernization of employment conditions, and a long-term vision for governance and infrastructure are crucial. The new CEO acknowledges the existing bottlenecks, but so far his course has been limited to general good intentions. As long as there is no concrete plan for structural improvement, CMC risks perpetuating the status quo – and further endangering the accessibility and quality of care.
It is time for openness, ambition, and leadership that brings more than mere recognition of old realities. What is needed: a vision, a roadmap, and the courage to transparently choose sustainable change in Curaçao’s healthcare system.
Michael F. Willem
Ex-Minister/Commissioner/Member of Parliament/Island Council member
