SABA--Saba’s Island Council will be travelling to Bonaire today, Tuesday, May 14, for a meeting with the Health Insurance Office ZVK and to visit several organizations and projects.
Members of the Island Council Eviton Heyliger, Vito Charles, Hemmie van Xanten and Esmeralda Johnson are travelling, while Island Council Registrar Akilah Levenstone will also join the delegation. Councilman Carl Buncamper is unable to join the delegation because of other commitments that involve travelling.
The main purpose for the Island Council’s visit is the meeting with ZVK to discuss the logistical issues that the Saba people have been facing with medical referrals abroad. The meeting was requested by the Saba Island Council and takes place in Kralendijk on Wednesday, May 15.
In preparation of the meeting with ZVK, the delegation met with Commissioner Bruce Zagers on Monday to receive an update on the latest developments in this area. The Commissioner provided information on his recent meeting with the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport in The Hague.
Delegation leader Heyliger explained why the Island Council wanted a meeting with the ZVK. “Over the last year, especially since January 2019, a growing protest among patients depending on ZVK has developed on Saba. The reason for this growing protest is mainly based on logistical issues, decision-making issues, equal-treatment issues and the very strict enforcement of rules and regulations,” Heyliger stated.
While in Bonaire, the Saba delegation will use the opportunity to visit the agricultural projects Bon Terra and the Greenhouse. On the itinerary is also a visit to Foundation Krusada, the local organization that offers care for addicts, former prisoners and mentally- and physically challenged persons.
The Island Council members will further have a meeting with the Bonaire Housing Foundation FCB and visit the new social-housing project Bario Nieuw Amsterdam. The Saba delegation travels back on Friday, May 17.
