The contract recently awarded by Minister Mervin Wyatt-Ras raises more questions than answers. According to the contract, an expert from the Netherlands will receive an amount of Afl. 23,000 per month for part-time work, up to a maximum total of Afl. 194,000. What makes this situation even more alarming is that this contract was awarded directly, without conducting any form of public tender.
Lack of respect for the expertise of Aruban professionals One of the most concerning points is that in the ministerial decree (ministeriële beschikking), the Minister indicates that Aruba lacks the necessary professionalism and knowledge to carry out this work.
This is not only a questionable financial decision; it is also a sign of a lack of recognition and respect for the expertise of Aruban professionals who work daily in the mental health sector and possess a deep understanding of our local reality.
Waiting lists continue to grow While the Government chooses to spend Afl. 23,000 per month for a Dutch expert to work part-time on a mental health plan—a plan that in practice already exists—the reality on the ground is completely different:
*Alarming waiting lists: The waiting list for specialized mental health care continues to grow.
*Citizens left waiting without help: Vulnerable individuals and entire families are left waiting for urgent help that, at the end of the day, does not arrive.
The fundamental question that remains unanswered is: How can paying such an exorbitant sum for a new plan be justified when an integrated plan already exists on the table and the waiting list keeps growing?
For this reason, Parliamentarian Tjon chose to submit 30 formal questions to the Minister concerned, demanding full transparency regarding this policy.