The health dilemma
We regularly hear that the tariffs covered by SVB in the medical arena are outdated and that the SVB doesn’t have enough funds to cover the increasing costs of healthcare. There is a long waiting list for appointments with specialist doctors. There are not enough specialist doctors available for the growing group of patients that need their care. This increase in doctor shortage may also be influenced by the fact that many people are struggling with chronic health conditions. Approximately 20% of Curaçao’s adult population suffers from diabetes. This is a massive health crisis compared to many other Caribbean islands.
Caribbean healthcare costs vary significantly, with regional out-of-pocket expenses frequently exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommendations. Health care costs in Curaçao are significantly higher than the regional Caribbean and Latin American averages, consuming about 13% of the island’s GDP. This surpasses the OECD average and reflects major fiscal strains within the local SVB (Social Insurance Bank) system. Indeed, there is a health dilemma.
It has been published that many of these conditions can be reduced if preventive care is provided and followed. One of the solutions being brought forward regularly is to have people eat healthier. This means that healthy foods are available and accessible. Curacao imports the biggest part of food consumed and the food comes from different destinations. Latin-American, United States and Europe have each their own regulations on the way the products are being produced and what ingredients are accepted or banned. The added costs of importing much of the food impact on the costs and variety of foods consumers can access. This influences the health of the population. Data is not available on the real impact of this on the chronic diseases we are seeing increasing.
The food consumed is the biggest factor that influences every human being’s health. Know about what you eat! One of the best ways of doing that is by growing one’s own food. Moving forward to a health policy that encourages a healthy diet that decreases chronic diseases would help. Previously, in articles we have highlighted local agricultural projects. Some neighborhoods are creating neighborhood gardens where people grow more vegetables and which over time will improve the health of the population. This can be adopted in all neighborhoods. Inhabitants will work together on getting the crops to grow, their food will come from the area they live in, close to their home also increasing their social cohesion and sense of belonging to their neighborhood. There are a lot of new technologies available to deal with the rude weather conditions that the island deals with, making it possible to grow the products that we need the most and that our soil can produce without any difficulties. The need for new guidelines for food production, better water technologies, and progressing pricing for foods produced locally, can help build a healthier diet for the people and can lower the health care costs.
