CURACAO HOSPITAL IS IN A CRISIS?
By: JJosepha News
Twitter.com/JJosephaNews
It was reported that Curacao's Sint-Elisabeth Hospital (SEHOS) is currently unable to order materials to take care of the non-acute surgeries (operations). It was said that for that reason; once again, the hospital decided to close its doors for non-acute surgeries.
Last year, the hospital temporarily suspended all non-urgent surgeries , because of financial struggles, which has been going on for years, even though the government has increased the budget.
It appears that the medical staff has already suggested sending patients to hospitals abroad for a non-acute operation to save on materials. The financial struggle at SEHOS affects local patients and patients in Bonaire, who have been designated for surgery at SEHOS.
It has been reported that illegal clinics on the island have been using materials and methods that are banned in other countries to perform plastic surgeries; buttock or breast augmentation.
In 2015, the then Healthcare Inspector; Gersji Rodrigues Pereira; confirmed that stomach reduction operations in SEHOS was stopped (not the first time). But this time, the stop was not imposed by the inspection, but the program was temporarily suspended internally by the surgery department.
Stomach-reducing operations were stopped by the health inspectorate, in February 2013, after several deaths. In January 2014, surgeon; Patrick Fa Si Oen; argued for resumption of the program after an internal investigation was conducted. The Inspector General; Joe Alcalá; at the time was skeptical about the investigation, however; the stop was lifted in November before inspector Rodrigues Pereira took office.
There were two (2) complaints; of which the stakeholders were (are); still waiting for the completion:
- The death of Julio Martina after a stomach reduction operation and
- The missed gallbladder operation of Lisette van Tatenhove.
At the time, the inspector couldn't say whether it concerned these complaints.
In 2015 it was reported that Van Tatenhove and Julio Martina's son; Raylison, had sent two "strong" letters to the then; Minister of Health, Denzil "Ben" Whiteman (Political party; PS), about their complaints, but apparently neither had received an answer.
Following a report in 2017, the health inspectorate; ruled that the doctor who did the stomach reduction surgery on Martina; Dr Michel Berry "acted carelessly" and it appeared that there were no sanctions filed against Dr. Michael Berry for the surgery.
JJosepha News was unable to confirm that there was a distinct and clear resolution and completion of both investigations, made by any of Curacao's Ministers of Health; including the then past Health Minister; Denzil "Ben" Whiteman (Political Party: PS), nor Siegfried Victorina (Political Party: PS), nor Zita Jesus-Leito (Political Party: PAR); neither Sisline Girigoria (Political Party: Progressive Movement); and even now; by the present Health Minister; Suzy Camelia-Romer (Political Party:PIN).
Neither Denzil "Ben" Whiteman, nor Suzy Camelia-Romer was available for answers about the prior investigations.
In 2018, there questions arose about surgeon Patrick Fa Si Oen eligibility to work as a surgeon on the island (the status of his diplomas and his registration as a medical specialist in Belgium).
Even though his registration appeared to be in order and he was allowed to work as a surgeon again, Fa Si Oen may never work at the hospital again. In May, Fa Si Oen was denied access to the hospital and which was justified according to the judge.
HOSPITAL STAFF UNCERTAIN
At the beginning of April the hospital laboratory staff briefly laid down their work, because, they were afraid of losing their job when the new Hospital Nobo Otrobanda (HNO) would open. On the 26th of April, payment of salaries of some of the Hospital staffs were delayed without due reason.
Approximately ninety (90%) percent of the hospital patients have insurance through the BVZ (Basisverzekering Ziektekosten = Curacao's Basic Health Insurance) and for this; the hospital received a budget reimbursement from the Curacao's Social Insurance Bank (SVB) = (Sociale Verzekeringsbank).
The hospital wanted to introduce new rates for private patients (privately insured; including tourists and uninsured patients) but, in order to meet the needs of health insurers (private insurance companies), SEHOS needed to suspend the increase for nursing and ancillary rates until the Minister of Economic Affairs decides a final decision, and this does not apply to the specialists fees.
The rates reportedly went up 25% to 85% percent.
Reportedly, earlier, the Minister of Health, Suzanne Camelia-Römer, said that general practitioners and specialists may adjust their rates themselves, but the hospital cannot.
By letter and Ministerial Order of May 18th of 2016, the Minister of Economic Development under the Cabinet of Denzil "Ben" Whiteman in the 5th Cabinet, indicated that he would NOT apply price regulating measures in the health care sector and apparently he remained of the same opinion in 2018.
Eugene Rhuggenaath (Political party PAR) was the Minister of Economic Development in 2015, (The fifth cabinet formed on 30th of November 2015) via appointment by PAR Parliamentarian Zita Jesus-leito under the Cabinet of Denzil "Ben" Whiteman (Political party PS).
The intention for the hospital was to bring prices under control, as with actual costs of the care to be provided with a margin of 5% (five) percent.
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