The property transfer by St. Maarten Medial Center (SMMC) to main contractor INSO (see related story) clears the way for the long-announced construction of a new general hospital to physically begin at last. After years of delay and the cancellation of an earlier deal made with developer VAMED, a move to the newly-built facility is expected by the end of 2022, followed by demolition of the ex-current complex and the addition of a wing.
Insolvency issues of INSO’s former parent company in Italy have been sufficiently addressed in cooperation with that country’s authorities to reassure stakeholders such as the consortium of lenders for the project. The latter includes Social and Health Insurances SZV.
As a matter a fact, that’s one of the arguments mentioned by then-UD and now independent Member of Parliament Luc Mercelina when he submitted a motion of no confidence against his own party’s Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Emil Lee that was adopted with help of opposition parties NA and US Party. The interim cabinet they, Mercelina and – also former UD faction member – Chanel Brown nominated later nevertheless honoured the relevant agreements as also requested by Governor Eugene Holiday of then “formateur” and current Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.
SMMC will now actually be able to repay SZV advances it provided for the project since 2015. Not just that, but the collective insurer is already starting to save on expensive medical referrals abroad with improvements being made to the existing facility and this will only increase after the new hospital opens its doors.
However, a word of caution is in order. The newly-built Curaçao Medical Centre (CMC) recently announced its basic uniform admission tariff at double that of first class in the old St. Elizabeth Hospital and four times that of third class.
The rising cost of health care is a worldwide problem that is difficult to control and puts an enormous burden on society. Even more reason to at least try to keep it in check.
