Dear Editor,
A newly issued Terms of Reference (TOR) by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA for a “Mental Health Coordinator/Advisor” is raising eyebrows and questions. While the TOR to fill this vacancy outlines a broad set of responsibilities, several of its core tasks directly overlap with those already being executed under the ongoing World Bank-funded mental health project led by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).
The lack of a clear rationale for this vacancy has left some insiders wondering whether the Minister is seeking more direct control over the project’s direction or attempting to install a preferred individual in a key role – a move that echoes patterns seen in previous administrations.
First, a bit of background:
Overlap with NRPB’s role on the mental health project
The NRPB is implementing an $8 million Trust Fund project to improve mental health services. Some project activities include the construction of a new facility, development of a national strategy, stakeholder coordination, and capacity building. A dedicated project team and international experts overseeing design, policy support, and implementation, are already assigned by the NRPB.
In recent months, Minister Brug has been actively involved in several of these mental health initiatives. These include a partnership with the Trimbos Institute to support community-based services, discussions with SZV to reallocate funding toward mental health priorities, and the establishment of the Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Federation. In August 2024, he also met with NRPB to discuss the facility’s construction. By year’s end, procurement for a design firm was underway, with seven firms evaluated by a committee including NRPB, MHF and VSA representatives.
That brings us to what’s currently happening and why it’s raising eyebrows.
Enter the Ministry’s TOR
According to the VSA Ministry-published TOR in January 2025, this consultant would finalize a national mental health strategic plan, coordinate various mental health activities, reinforce community-based approaches, and oversee improvements in the care system. These responsibilities notably include coordinating the very Trust Fund project being run by NRPB.
In a March 7, 2025, article in The People’s Tribune, the Ministry explicitly acknowledged the need for an expert advisor, stating it “lacks specific mental health expertise and capacity.” However, this statement has drawn attention from some, as there are skilled policy advisors within the Ministry who possess specific backgrounds in mental healthcare and have hands-on experience working in the field on St. Maarten.
The Ministry also claimed the consultant is necessary to avoid the kinds of delays experienced in other NRPB projects. Yet, observers point out that many of the TOR tasks mirror the tasks of the NRPB’s project team. Even if there are delays now, they appear to stem more from the recent changes in government than from a lack of oversight or technical expertise. This is supported by World Bank documentation, which notes that delays in the facility design procurement were “related to changes in government.”
It is for that reason that the Ministry’s sudden recruitment of its own project coordinator is prompting speculation. Why introduce a parallel consultant at this stage? If staffing shortages are the issue, as stated by the Minister’s Cabinet, then why not reinforce internal staff capacity instead of duplicating a project management role?
If existing personnel or the NRPB team can fulfill these coordination duties, and the Trust Fund is already financing expert support, taxpayers deserve to know why an additional consultant is warranted.
Whispers of Pre-Selection undermine trust in process
Given St. Maarten’s small community, it didn’t take long for quiet speculation to emerge about candidates with political ties. While no concrete evidence has surfaced linking Minister Brug or associates to any specific applicant or firm, the perception alone has raised concerns. Murmurs have already surfaced suggesting that a particular individual is widely expected to secure the consultancy. In addition, some sources have noted that the individual, who is said to have ties to a member of the Minister’s cabinet, has shown strong confidence in securing the role. True or not, the whispers have already done their damage – because in a context where trust in government is fragile, perception often matters just as much as facts.
Consultant vs. NRPB – Who’s in Charge?
The Minister owes the public an explanation of how the new consultant will complement (and not conflict with) NRPB’s function. If both a “Ministry-hired advisor” and the NRPB implementation unit are working on the same tasks, who ultimately calls the shots? Is the consultant purely focusing on internal Ministry capacity building? Or will he/she have authority that overlaps with the project’s management? These distinctions matter.
Moreover, potential conflicts of interest cannot be ignored. Are any individuals in Minister Brug’s cabinet or inner circle connected to companies that are likely to bid for the TOR contract? It’s a fair question, given St. Maarten’s track record. Well-intentioned projects have too often been tainted by politically-connected individuals slipping in through side contracts, consultancies, or subcontracts.
Now, with a project as critical as the mental health facility, transparency is non-negotiable. Oversight from the World Bank and institutions like the Trimbos Institute offers some reassurance, but real integrity hinges on local political will.
The Public wants answers – and deserves them
The unfolding situation leaves several pressing questions that Minister Brug and his administration should address head-on:
* Why is an additional consultant needed for the mental health project when the NRPB already has a project implementation unit and international experts on board?
* Does this TOR create overlapping duties that could dilute accountability between the Ministry and NRPB?
* Who stands to benefit from this new role – is it purely about bolstering capacity, or could it pave the way for a favored individual’s involvement?
* What are the safeguards in place to ensure transparency during the hiring and contracting related to this TOR?
* What lessons has the government learned from past procurement controversies to ensure this critical health project doesn’t become another case of perceived nepotism or “insider” deals?
St. Maarten’s new mental health facility and improved services are urgently needed and widely supported – but that support must be met with clear and honest communication. The people of St. Maarten, especially those who will depend on this project, deserve transparency at every stage. The VSA Ministry must now step up and provide clear answers to critical questions – questions the public has every right to ask, and the government has a responsibility to answer.
In the coming weeks, it will therefore become clear whether the Minister is prepared to offer that clarity, or whether familiar narratives of favoritism and political maneuvering will take hold under this new administration.
Concerned citizen
Name withheld at author’s request.
