WILLEMSTAD - The Ombudsman of Curaçao has launched an official investigation into the government’s oversight of elderly homes and care institutions on the island. The decision follows multiple signals and media reports indicating structural complaints about the functioning of several of these facilities. The announcement was made in a letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN).
The inquiry will cover the five-year period from October 2020 to October 2025, focusing on whether government supervision provides adequate safeguards for the care and support that residents require.
According to the Ombudsman, the complaints relate to a wide range of issues, including daily care, safety, and compliance with legal standards.
Minister Must Submit Full Overview
The Minister of GMN has been instructed to submit, within four weeks, a complete overview of all elderly and care homes on Curaçao, including:
all issued permits
the conditions attached to those permits
the designation of inspectors under Article 14 of the Landsverordening Bejaardentehuizen en Verzorgingstehuizen Curaçao
The Ombudsman also requested all additional relevant information that may influence the investigation.
Investigation Shared with Key Institutions
The inquiry has been formally communicated to Parliament, the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), and the Council for Elderly Policy.
Through this investigation, the Ombudsman aims to determine whether the current oversight mechanisms are adequate and what improvements are necessary to better protect the rights and well-being of Curaçao’s vulnerable elderly population.