Taking part in the Health Care Conference Aruba 2015 hosted by Aruba’s Minister of Health was an eye opening experience. The conference which was held as a result of decision made in IPKO meetings by the Health Committee of Parliaments of the Dutch Kingdom and had as its goal bringing cooperation and collaboration in Health Care in the Dutch Kingdom in order to optimize patient care and reduce the rising costs of Health Care.
Many stakeholders from the various islands and the Netherlands came together and shared their ideas, while the lectures by professionals from the Latin American and Caribbean Region, representatives of WHO and PAHO as well as other international presenters provided a global perspective.
The most thought provoking presentation was that of Dr. Stanley Lalta of the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago whose lecture on Integrated vs Compartmentalized Health Norms in Small Countries utilized regional statistics from the PAHO and others to drive home the need to close the resource gap via integrated approach being further explored by the Dutch islands.
During break-out sessions the importance of on island communication between Health stakeholders was highlighted as a requirement before any talks of collaboration could take place. Good Communication on an inter-island level between health care professionals and between departments, Ministers and Parliament must be in place in order to facilitate the cooperation. Another requirement which came out of that discussion was the need to know per island exactly what services were available, and to come to an agreement as to what area each would specialize in or offer to the others.
An also inspiring principle which coincides with the MPs vision for health care on St. Maarten saw a commitment by all to create an overarching vision for Health Care with a renewed focus on the well-being of the patient, the quality of Health care being provided to the patient and the support being provided to the family of the patient.
MP Jacobs sees this conference as a very important step forward in cooperation for the islands in the Dutch Caribbean, it will require a collective vision, commitment, and cooperation within all sectors of health care. The MP further states that the cooperation in the interest of quality patient care and the reduction of costs should not be limited to the Dutch Caribbean, but should also include other islands and nations within the Caribbean with established strengths in the health care, especially in the short term until more services can be developed within the islands themselves.
Furthermore, after the professionals have assessed the situation, the commitment of government and Parliament to follow up with the assessment and amendment of the necessary ordinances, policies and awareness programs to facilitate and regulate the cooperation will be needed. Parliament will also have the responsibility to monitor and promote the progress of any and all cooperation between the countries of the Dutch Kingdom. This cooperation will require the commitment and respect on all levels.
- Wednesday, May 8, 2024
