ORANJESTAD (AAN) – In a recent statement, Julienne Panneflek, an Inspector from the IVA (Instituto di Vevimiento y Atencion), emphasized that only authorized, competent professionals registered with AruBIG are permitted to administer injections in Aruba.
According to Chapter 4, Article 25 of the Health Professions Act, specific medical treatments and procedures, referred to as ‘voorbehoude handeling’ (reserved actions), can only be performed by certified professionals. These professionals include doctors, specialists, dentists, and midwives.
Panneflek clarified that while a dentist may perform injections, including intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous (SC) injections, they must regularly perform these actions to maintain their competence. Nurses, similarly, must also remain competent through training and certification to administer injections under the order of a doctor.
Importantly, Panneflek noted that even if someone completes a course to learn how to inject and receives a certificate, this does not grant them the legal authorization to perform the procedure. Injections, particularly those involving substances like Botox and Ozempic, carry significant risks if administered improperly.
The IVA has received numerous reports of unauthorized injection practices, especially in beauty salons. Panneflek urged citizens to verify if the person performing injections is properly certified, authorized, competent, and registered with AruBIG. If individuals suspect unauthorized injections, they can report them anonymously through the IVA website, where an investigation will be initiated, potentially leading to fines of up to 500,000 Florin for illegal practices.
