The Aruban union for employees in nursing institutions, ABV, is urging the government to take temporary action on Horacio Oduber Hospital’s finances while three reviews continue.
Union cites recurring funding gap
ABV met Health Minister Mervin Wyatt-Ras on Friday and said information presented during the meeting showed HOH receiving about Afl. 8.2 million every two weeks while expenses exceed Afl. 9 million. That would produce a gap of roughly Afl. 800,000 every two weeks, according to the union’s account.
The minister said public funds are involved and the reviews must provide clarity. ABV argues that the hospital cannot wait several more months and asked the minister to consider temporary options available under the AZV National Ordinance.
Dialysis department among urgent concerns
The reviews concern sustainable dialysis care, hospital efficiency and the lump-sum funding system. ABV said the dialysis department continues operating in a converted former gymnasium used as a temporary space for more than 20 years. It estimated that about Afl. 8 million is needed to complete a replacement facility on the fifth floor of Tower A.
The claimed HOH funding shortfall and cost figures come from ABV and have not been independently audited in the source. The union’s call is a material follow-up to recent hospital-management concerns about rising costs and demand.
Source: 24ora English.
