WILLEMSTAD - The Curacao Family Practitioners Association filed a lawsuit against the government. The general practitioners disagree with a draft transitional arrangement whereby they receive a 3-year dispensation after their 65th birthday and thereafter a maximum of 1 year if there is a capacity shortage.
"A general practitioner is a free practitioner," says general practitioner Rob Spong. "As long as GPs are capable, they must be able to continue working." The GPs do not think that stopping after 65 years will result in a cutback in the budget.
The government originally wanted GPs to stop at the age of 65, but after they protested, they drafted a draft transitional arrangement for that National Decree. This must then be done by the Advisory Council and the Council of Ministers.
The GPs expects that the National Decree will be active from 1 January.