The signing of an agreement between Social and Health Insurances SZV and Banco di Caribe (see related story) is an interesting development. The Curaçao-based bank increased its share in financing for the new hospital by more than 50 per cent.
SZV, on the other hand reduced by 5 million Antillean guilders its stake in the venture. Some, including now independent – then UD – Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Luc Mercelina, had strongly questioned the collective insurer’s participation, going as far as calling it a conflict of interest role in terms of rates to be set for the medical facility.
The move also indicates that a major Dutch Caribbean financial institution continues to have confidence in the project, despite criticism from within the current coalition that just appointed an interim cabinet. The new hospital was not specifically listed by Governor Eugene Holiday in his task to the at-the-time “formateur” – now Prime Minister – but is certainly part of the agreements made with the Netherlands regarding the financing of the national recovery of St. Maarten that he mentioned.
People should not forget that additional money is coming from the Trust Fund managed by the World Bank to make the new hospital more hurricane-resistant and upgrade the current care at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).The latter has already produced considerable savings in referrals abroad for the same SZV.
Regardless of those improvements, a new hospital is long overdue and badly needed. When it comes to the population’s wellbeing, simply nothing less will do.
