Aruba’s hospital union is warning that Aruba hospital salaries could be at risk by November if a short-term answer to the healthcare funding crisis is not found.
Gina Maduro, president of the Aruban Bond of Employees in Nursing Institutions (ABV), said the union has been monitoring the pressure facing Horacio Oduber Hospital and other healthcare institutions. She said ABV is continuing discussions with hospital management and employees while watching developments in the coming days.
Union says November could become a deadline
According to Maduro, an analysis reviewed by the union indicates that continued inaction could create problems paying salaries by November 2026. The warning is attributed to ABV; the source report did not publish the analysis itself.
Maduro said the union does not want the situation to reach that point. She added that ABV may need to prepare alternative responses if no near-term solution emerges, while emphasizing that unions representing healthcare professionals must consider continuity of patient care.
ABV calls for an interim funding response
ABV argues that Aruba’s health-insurance law gives the responsible minister authority to direct AZV toward a temporary solution. Maduro cited Articles 26 and 39 of the national ordinance in making that case.
The union said four AZV-related investigations are underway, but it does not know when they will be completed. Maduro’s position is that the investigations should continue without delaying an interim measure for the hospital.
Hospital remains central concern
Maduro described several healthcare institutions as being in a pre-crisis situation, with Horacio Oduber Hospital under the greatest pressure. She said the hospital continues to receive the same lump-sum payment every two weeks while no additional funding is being provided.
ABV says it will keep pressing for a solution while continuing its discussions with the parties involved.
