On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Aruba will mark a historical moment in the public health sector. As part of the commemoration of World Patient Safety Day 2026, the SIKI Foundation (Center for Information and Awareness on Integrity) will officially launch the first nation-wide patient-for-patient organization: “Pashentnan di Aruba” (Patients of Aruba – PDA).
This momentous event will take place in the auditorium of the University of Aruba, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The initiative, led by the foundation’s president, legal expert Jayburtt Dijkhoff, seeks to transform the relationship between the patient and the healthcare system in Aruba.
The launch coincides with International Patient Safety Day, a date where the color orange symbolizes global awareness. The central question of this campaign is one that affects every citizen: How can you feel safe with healthcare here in Aruba?
The primary goal of this new organization is to make healthcare safer. A significant portion of the accidents or harm occurring during medical care is completely preventable. Through PDA, the objective is to empower patients to take an active, informed, and decisive role in their own care process.
The structure of “Pashentnan di Aruba” is fully built on the principle of inclusion. Everyone in the community is welcome to become a member at no financial cost, as membership is completely free.
The platform will serve to gather real experiences and testimonies from patients. The goal is to move beyond simple opinions and work on the basis of concrete data and figures. With this information, the organization will engage in a constructive and direct dialogue with the healthcare sector and the government to identify the real issues patients face and find effective, long-lasting solutions together.
Due to the overwhelming interest generated by this initiative in the community, the room at the University of Aruba is already nearly full. However, the organization confirmed that there are exactly 20 spots still open for the general public wishing to witness this historic moment.
The invitation is open to anyone who wants to be part of this change. To reserve a spot, interested individuals can visit SIKI Aruba’s Facebook page, where the registration form is available. Only a name, email address, and WhatsApp phone number are required to confirm attendance.
