Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters of the PPA faction presented a strong motion during Thursday’s public parliamentary meeting regarding the state of elderly care in Aruba. The motion was supported by solid arguments and received unanimous approval from the entire Parliament.
This sends a clear message to the government: the situation in the care of our elderly is no longer sustainable and requires immediate structural action. The responsibility now lies with the minister.
A Report That Cannot Be Ignored
The motion is based on a report by the Aruba Inspectorate of Public Health (IVA), titled “When Care Costs Lives.”
“This report clearly outlines serious deficiencies within care institutions: falls, infections, neglect, and even fatal consequences. The Inspectorate indicates that many incidents are not accidental, but the result of structural problems such as staff shortages, lack of expertise, poor governance, and a reactive rather than systematic management approach,” Pieters stated.
According to him, this is not merely a recommendation, but an alarm signal.
Pressure on the System Is Unsustainable
For the PPA faction, the motion acknowledges that the pressure on nursing homes and care facilities has become unsustainable. The safety and dignity of the most vulnerable clients are at risk. Therefore, the motion does not call for more studies, but for concrete deadlines:
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Within a maximum of 2 months: finalize and present a national elderly care policy to Parliament;
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Within 3 months: implement quality standards to guarantee safety in care institutions;
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Within 3 months: present an implementation plan with clear objectives, activities, and measurable indicators;
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In the first supplementary budget of 2026: allocate the necessary funds to execute the plan.
These are not suggestions, but a parliamentary mandate.
From Good Intentions to Real Results
What makes this motion particularly strong is its emphasis on implementation. According to Pieters:
“Not just vision, but a plan with measurable outcomes. Not just words, but a budget. For years, elderly care has been discussed in terms of future plans, working groups, and additional studies. Meanwhile, the aging population continues to grow, waiting lists increase, financial pressure rises, and families are losing confidence.”
The motion recognizes that a comprehensive approach is essential: improving quality within care institutions and strengthening support for elderly people living at home.
“Vision has value, but without execution, it remains only on paper,” Pieters emphasized.
A Test of Political Responsibility
Now that the motion has been unanimously approved by Parliament, crucial questions remain:
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Will Minister Wyatt Ras respect the deadlines?
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Will the necessary funds actually be allocated?
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Will there be a concrete implementation plan with measurable results?
Elderly care affects every family in Aruba. It is not about statistics, but about our mothers, fathers, grandparents, and loved ones.
In closing, MP Pieters thanked his parliamentary colleagues for putting political differences aside and unanimously supporting the motion for the well-being of Aruba as a whole.
Parliament has spoken clearly: postponing decisions is no longer acceptable. The PPA faction has taken its responsibility. Now it is time to act, because our elderly need and deserve care that protects their lives.
