WILLEMSTAD - At the invitation of the management of Advent Hospital, Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) Roderick Middelhof paid an official visit to the institution, where he was presented with the hospital’s most pressing challenges. According to the management team, the financial situation has become increasingly unsustainable due to government-set tariffs that have not been adjusted since 2001.
Hospital leaders informed the minister that running a modern medical institution on tariffs established 24 years ago is “nearly impossible.” The lack of updated rates has severely limited the hospital’s ability to purchase essential medical equipment, leaving critical investments unfunded.
Urgent Need for Updated Tariffs and New Investments
During the meeting, the hospital emphasized several structural issues:
Outdated government tariffs that no longer reflect actual operational costs
A critical need for investment in medical equipment and technology
Maintenance backlogs for buildings and essential support systems
The need for improved labor conditions to retain and support staff
Management referenced a 2023 cost-price analysis, which shows that current tariffs fall far below the financial requirements needed to operate a hospital responsibly and safely.
The hospital’s leadership politely urged the minister to identify temporary financial solutions while the formal adjustment of tariffs is being prepared. Updated tariffs must reflect real costs, they stressed, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the institution.
Minister Promises Follow-Up and Inter-Ministry Consultation
At the end of the visit, Minister Middelhof thanked the hospital management for their openness and detailed explanation of the financial pressures they face. He pledged to consult with other ministries — including the Ministry of Finance — to examine possible short-term measures.
The minister also committed to returning to Advent Hospital within two weeks to provide an update on the government’s next steps.
As Curaçao’s healthcare sector continues to navigate rising costs and resource shortages, Advent Hospital’s plea underscores a wider systemic challenge facing medical institutions across the island.