THE HAGUE - Healthcare standards in Caribbean Netherlands must improve across the board: prevention, care, social support and youth welfare. That is what Minister Mirjam Sterk (Long-term Care, Youth and Sport) writes in a letter to the House of Representatives. Further steps are necessary to bring provisions up to the same level as those in European Netherlands.
Minister Sterk: "We need to provide tailor-made solutions, because the small scale of the islands means we cannot simply copy everything from European Netherlands. That is precisely why I will be working hard in the coming period, together with healthcare partners and the Public Bodies on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba."
Greater focus on prevention
Many chronic conditions are closely linked to lifestyle and living environment — and are therefore largely preventable. For example, the Caribbean NIX18 campaign, which recently launched on Saba and Sint Eustatius, will soon also be introduced on Bonaire. In addition, playgrounds on each island have been renovated over the past year, giving children a safe space to play and exercise.
Bringing care closer to home
Good primary care is the foundation of an accessible healthcare system. Since the beginning of this year, all GP practices on Bonaire meet the NHG quality standard. Primary care on Saba and Sint Eustatius is being further strengthened, partly through growing cooperation with the hospital on Bonaire — including remote assessment of X-rays. Collaboration with Guadeloupe is also being initiated to improve access to emergency care.
Medical transport
Due to the small scale of the islands, medical transport is unavoidable: approximately 7,000 transfers take place each year. Research by the National Ombudsman shows that patients experience difficulties with information provision, personal guidance and complaints handling. Improvements have therefore been set in motion, such as the redesigned website www.zorgenjeugdcn.nl, better telephone accessibility and a more accessible complaints procedure. The ultimate goal is a digital portal where insured persons can track their data and progress, and greater freedom of choice between contracted healthcare providers in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
