Director of AZV, Ir. Edwin Jacobs, in an interview with DIARIO, discussed the recent efforts to reduce the pressure on home doctors in Aruba. He mentioned that in the past year, the pressure on home doctors had not been as significant, but in 2024, AZV has taken steps to address this by implementing new procedures and increasing resources for doctors.
Along with ImSan and the hospital, two home doctors were stationed under one roof, referred to as “Hoednan,” and in 2024, two new nurse practices were opened in Noord, alongside doctors Marquez and Kelly.
“The intention is to reduce the number of home doctors in patient departments and focus more on consultancies. We’ve seen a decrease in the number of home doctors, from around 2,000-3,000 to around 2,100. We’re heading in the right direction,” Jacobs explained. He added that they have also strengthened mental health support for home doctors with 15 new POHs (Primary Health Officers) to assist them.
Jacobs emphasized that by the next year, almost every home doctor will be required to have a POH to reduce the pressure on the service. Currently, there are 50 home doctors available, with a ratio of about 2,000-2,200 insured patients per doctor.
Additionally, Jacobs revealed that in 2026, they are planning to open more home doctor offices. These offices will not only provide basic healthcare but also focus on providing full consultations and improving accessibility to the services for more patients.
“We are continuing to invest in the modernization of home doctor contracts to encourage productivity and meet the growing demands of our community. We are in discussions with the HAVA association to continue improving the process,” Jacobs concluded.
