The current financial situation at the hospital is not healthy and is generating great concern regarding the potential impact on medical care and citizens’ health. A proper investigation is necessary. Despite the severity of the case, the tight silence from the Minister of Health, Mervin Wyatt Ras, remains a point of question, as there is no visible vision, management, or proper attention to solve this crisis. An investigation is apparently underway.
Concerns are escalating because several vendors have started stopping the delivery of essential medicines and supplies used for patients in the hospital. This lack or delay of payment directly jeopardizes the lives and health of many people who rely on these medications and supplies. Failing to pay vendors while acquiring a cosmetic hyperbaric chamber machine clearly shows the true management and priorities of the hospital—failing to pay its vendors for a cosmetic hyperbaric chamber machine that heals wounds and closes surgical incisions faster.
According to Member of Parliament Dangui Oduber, what makes this situation even more incomprehensible is that the insurance entity (AZV) currently holds a significant surplus of around 350 million florins. In comparison, during the pandemic period, the checking account was around 54 million florins, yet it never reached a point where vendors stopped supplying the hospital. There are many doubts within the hospital regarding this matter.
Transparency, clarity, and accountability are demanded from the Minister of Health, the Director of AZV, the Executive Board (Raad van Bestuur), and the Supervisory Board. According to MP Dangui Oduber, it is necessary for the minister to appear in Parliament to inform both the MPs and the people of Aruba about what exactly is happening. The absolute priority must be to guarantee and reassure all patients that the supply of medicine and medical materials will not be interrupted at any time.