WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) has issued a stern warning, declaring its intent to pursue legal recourse if the Inspectorate of Public Health fails to retract the directives imposed on the hospital by Wednesday. This ultimatum was delivered through two strongly-worded letters from the CMC management to the Inspectorate.
At the crux of the issue is the Inspectorate's instruction for the hospital to redirect patients awaiting surgery to the Advent Hospital. The directive stems from the severe staff shortages plaguing CMC, leading to the unfortunate postponement of critical surgeries. However, according to CMC, this prescribed course of action is impractical since the Advent Hospital lacks the necessary equipment to provide patients with the level of care they require.
In addition to the patient referrals, the Inspectorate has also issued a directive pertaining to the recruitment of personnel, particularly specialists. CMC has responded by highlighting the impediments imposed by the National Regulation on Top Incomes (LNT). The financial limitations prescribed by the LNT have made it increasingly challenging for CMC to attract new doctors, hindering their efforts to bolster their medical workforce.
Compounding these concerns, CMC has also expressed apprehension over the potential resignation of its current staff members. Earlier reports from the Dutch news site Nu.cw shed light on the predicament, revealing that eight candidates who were vying for positions at CMC withdrew their applications due to the constraints imposed by the LNT.