The Ministry of Health has officially completed the transfer of the Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH) back to the Government of Aruba, marking a historic milestone in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The formal handover ceremony involved collaboration between the Stichting Onroerend Goed Aruba (SOGA), Aruba Investment Bank (AIB), and the Department of Public Works (DOW).
The transfer concludes the final phase of a comprehensive renovation and expansion project that began in 2014, spanning more than a decade of construction and modernization work. The extensive overhaul included significant upgrades to the emergency department, inpatient facilities, and outpatient services, all aimed at improving the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare delivery on the island. The project ranks among the largest construction undertakings in Aruba’s history.
The renovation effort was driven by the need to bring Aruba’s primary medical facility in line with modern healthcare standards. Over the ten-year construction period, new wings were added, existing structures were retrofitted with state-of-the-art medical equipment, and patient care areas were redesigned to accommodate evolving treatment protocols and growing demand from both residents and the island’s substantial tourist population.
Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care and Addiction Management drs. Melvin Wyatt-Ras emphasized the significance of the moment, stating that after more than ten years of work, the country has reached an important juncture. “With this step, we are strengthening our healthcare system with modern and more accessible facilities, to guarantee that every citizen has access to quality care. This is an investment in the well-being of our community, today and for the future,” the Minister said.
The completion of the transfer means that the renovated hospital facilities are now fully under government control and can be utilized to their full potential. The Ministry of Health expressed gratitude to all institutional partners and professionals who contributed to realizing the project, acknowledging the collective effort that made the milestone possible. The collaboration between SOGA, AIB, and DOW was instrumental in navigating the complexities of a project that spanned multiple government administrations and economic cycles.
The HOH renovation project represents one of the most significant public infrastructure investments in Aruba’s recent history, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernizing essential services. With the formal transfer now complete, attention turns to ensuring that the upgraded facilities deliver on their promise of improved healthcare outcomes for all Arubans. The hospital’s enhanced capacity is expected to reduce the need for medical referrals abroad, keeping more specialized treatments available locally and reducing costs for both patients and the national healthcare system.
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