WILLEMSTAD — Federashon Otrobanda and Plataformo Otrobanda (FKO) want an explanation from the government why the decision was taken to build the new hospital on Jan Noorduynweg.
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"On November 17th, we learned from the press that the government made the decision to build the new hospital on Jan Noorduynweg. When the sisters chose Otrobanda as location 154 years ago, they could not have foreseen that that location is the correct one to this day" according to the organization of Otrobanda.
The organizations are also of the opinion that:
"Government services, a committee of experts consisting of doctors and architects all reached the conclusion that Otrobanda is the best location for the new hospital. Yet the government chose to build the new hospital on Jan Noorduynweg." They further mention that they do not prefer Otrobanda for commercial reasons as location for the new hospital, but that it would be better for the patients. The organizations quote the following advantages: Outpatients’ operational at the end of 2012; Essential diagnostic departments such as first-aid, radiology, operating room (OR) relocate from the old to the new building at the end of 2013; relocate the rooms at the end of 2014; at the end of 2015, the rest of the rooms have been relocated so there’s space for a parking garage; less energy use; the air-conditioning could operate on cold seawater due to its location along the coast; optimal accessibility for people from Bándariba as well as Bándabou; less construction costs because the infrastructure of the terrain is already present for the greater part; no claims need to be made on terrains meant for agriculture (EOP at Jan Noorduynweg); and there’s no danger of flooding in Otrobanda as the Advent hospital recently experienced when seventy patients had to be evacuated to the Sehos.
The organizations conclude: "After having considered all aforementioned advantages, we still wonder why the choice was made for Jan Noorduynweg. What’s the magic of Jan Noorduynweg? There is no magic; it has to do with the terrain where the old hospital stands now. If this disappears, the terrain will become available for the development of hotels, apartments etc., whereby optimal use will be made of the Rif developments if this becomes the center where the cruise ships will moor" according to the organizations of Otrobanda. All of this would be at the expense of the people who have to pay extra millions for the construction on Jan Noorduynweg, which will eventually lead to a more expensive care. "The investors would benefit from all of this. The commerce is more important than the interests of the people. For this reason, Otrobanda sent a letter to the minister with the request to explain how one arrived at this decision. From the government – who claims they stand close to the people and assert the interests of the people – we expect them to pursue policy in a transparent manner. We believe in dialogue, and a solution can only be found with dialogue whereby the interests of the people is put first and not the interests of the investors" according to the organizations of Otrobanda.
The organizations are also of the opinion that:"Government services, a committee of experts consisting of doctors and architects all reached the conclusion that Otrobanda is the best location for the new hospital. Yet the government chose to build the new hospital on Jan Noorduynweg." They further mention that they do not prefer Otrobanda for commercial reasons as location for the new hospital, but that it would be better for the patients. The organizations quote the following advantages: Outpatients’ operational at the end of 2012; Essential diagnostic departments such as first-aid, radiology, operating room (OR) relocate from the old to the new building at the end of 2013; relocate the rooms at the end of 2014; at the end of 2015, the rest of the rooms have been relocated so there’s space for a parking garage; less energy use; the air-conditioning could operate on cold seawater due to its location along the coast; optimal accessibility for people from Bándariba as well as Bándabou; less construction costs because the infrastructure of the terrain is already present for the greater part; no claims need to be made on terrains meant for agriculture (EOP at Jan Noorduynweg); and there’s no danger of flooding in Otrobanda as the Advent hospital recently experienced when seventy patients had to be evacuated to the Sehos.The organizations conclude: "After having considered all aforementioned advantages, we still wonder why the choice was made for Jan Noorduynweg. What’s the magic of Jan Noorduynweg? There is no magic; it has to do with the terrain where the old hospital stands now. If this disappears, the terrain will become available for the development of hotels, apartments etc., whereby optimal use will be made of the Rif developments if this becomes the center where the cruise ships will moor" according to the organizations of Otrobanda. All of this would be at the expense of the people who have to pay extra millions for the construction on Jan Noorduynweg, which will eventually lead to a more expensive care. "The investors would benefit from all of this. The commerce is more important than the interests of the people. For this reason, Otrobanda sent a letter to the minister with the request to explain how one arrived at this decision. From the government – who claims they stand close to the people and assert the interests of the people – we expect them to pursue policy in a transparent manner. We believe in dialogue, and a solution can only be found with dialogue whereby the interests of the people is put first and not the interests of the investors" according to the organizations of Otrobanda.
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