The health care system in the former Netherlands Antilles (now: Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) is generally well-developed, especially for basic and emergency care. It operates under a mix of public insurance, private clinics, and support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, especially in the BES islands (Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius).
1. GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM STRUCTURE
| Island | Status | Health Care Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | Autonomous country | Own Ministry of Health |
| Sint Maarten | Autonomous country | Own Ministry of Public Health |
| Bonaire, Saba, Statia | Dutch municipalities | Directly managed by the Netherlands (VWS) |
2. MAJOR HOSPITALS BY ISLAND
| Island | Main Hospital(s) |
|---|---|
| Curaçao | Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), Advent Hospital |
| Sint Maarten | St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) |
| Bonaire | Fundashon Mariadal Hospital |
| Saba | Saba Health Care Foundation (A.M. Edwards Medical Center) |
| Statia | Queen Beatrix Medical Center |
All hospitals offer:
- Emergency services
- Basic surgery
- Maternity care
- Dialysis
- Specialist referrals (serious cases may be flown to Curaçao, Colombia, Aruba, or the Netherlands)
3. HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM
Public Health Insurance (ZVK / SZV / AZV):
Most residents are covered by a public health insurance system, which:
- Covers primary care, hospitalization, and prescriptions
- Is funded by taxes or employer contributions
| Island | Main Public Health Scheme |
|---|---|
| Curaçao | SVB/AZV (Algemene Verzekering) |
| Sint Maarten | SZV (Social & Health Insurance) |
| BES Islands | ZVK (Zorgverzekering BES) |
Private Insurance:
- Available for high-income residents or visitors
- Often required for expats, students, or non-residents
4. HEALTH CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE
Available:
- Family doctors (GPs)
- Pediatrics
- Dentistry
- Vaccinations
- Maternity and child health
- Psychologists & basic mental health
- Pharmacies (widely available)
Limited (may require referral abroad):
- Oncology (cancer care)
- Advanced surgery
- Neurology or cardiology
- Some mental health and rehab services
5. MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDIVAC)
For serious conditions, patients may be airlifted to:
- Curaçao Medical Center
- Hospitals in Colombia or Aruba
- The Netherlands
These are coordinated by health insurance providers and local hospitals.
6. PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES
- Vaccination programs (including COVID-19, polio, measles)
- HIV/AIDS awareness
- Healthy lifestyle campaigns to reduce diabetes, hypertension
- Mosquito control (dengue, Zika prevention)
- School health checks in BES islands
7. Health Challenges
| Issue | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chronic illnesses | High rates of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease |
| Aging population | Increases demand on health system |
| Shortage of specialists | Many islands rely on visiting doctors |
| Limited mental health care | Especially in Saba and Statia |
Summary
| Feature | Curaçao / Sint Maarten | Bonaire / Saba / Statia (BES) |
|---|---|---|
| Local hospitals | Yes | Yes |
| Public insurance | SVB / SZV | ZVK |
| Emergency care | Available | Available |
| Medical specialists | Limited, mostly in Curaçao | Flown in or referred abroad |
| Mental health support | Limited but growing | Limited |
