ORANJESTAD – Poor care in various healthcare facilities in Aruba has led to serious injuries and even fatalities among residents. This is the conclusion reached by the Inspectie Volksgezondheid Aruba (IVA) in their recent report, “Als zorg levens kost: calamiteiten in verzorgingshuizen” published on Saturday. The investigation covered six incidents between 2020 and 2024, all of which were deemed calamities—unexpected or unintentional events during care that resulted in serious harm or death.
According to the report, several cases involved situations where serious health problems were not recognized in time, residents did not receive adequate medical follow-up, and basic care was lacking, which led to a deterioration of their condition. In many instances, intervention came too late when the situation had become critical, resulting in fatal outcomes. The IVA notes that these events could have been prevented with proper identification of warning signs and adequate care.
Case: Resident Dies Due to Inadequate Care in Elderly Care Aruba
One of the six investigated calamities describes how a resident in an Elderly Care Aruba facility showed clear signs of physical deterioration for several days without an adequate response. The resident experienced increasing weakness and a visible decline in their general condition. Despite these clear signs being observed by care staff, they were not systematically recorded or promptly evaluated by medical professionals. A doctor was only called when the situation had already become critical. The IVA report highlights that there was no structural observation or action according to professional standards during this time, and when medical help was finally requested, it was too late. The resident passed away shortly after.
The IVA concludes that the death could likely have been prevented if the warning signs had been recognized, recorded, and followed up on in time, and if medical care had been initiated promptly. The report emphasizes that this is not an individual fault, but rather a systemic failure in supervision, management, and lack of clear accountability within the institutions.
Structural Deficiencies in Elderly Care Aruba
The report points to structural deficiencies in Elderly Care Aruba, including non-compliance with professional standards, lack of adequate knowledge among staff, and insufficient management and supervision. IVA stresses that incident analysis and inspections alone are not enough to prevent future occurrences.
The IVA urgently calls on all parties involved to ensure improvements in the structural aspects of Elderly Care Aruba. The report emphasizes shared responsibility between the government, care institutions, supervisors, and healthcare professionals. Only with a systematic approach at the administrative and organizational levels can the safety, continuity, and quality of care for the elderly in Aruba be guaranteed.
