The Ministers of Health of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, together with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands, met on Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Sint Maarten for the Four-Country Consultation on Public Health. This annual high-level dialogue continues to serve as a key pillar for coordinated health governance and joint development within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This year’s consultation — the first since 2023 — focused on shared public health challenges and strategic opportunities for deeper regional cooperation. Key priorities included:
- Strengthening cross-border healthcare and pandemic preparedness
- Enhancing crisis and disaster response capacity
- Advancing joint initiatives in mental health, prevention, and healthy lifestyle promotion
- Improving continuity of care, workforce development, and sector-wide training
Outcomes
To advance pandemic preparedness and combat infectious diseases, the four countries agreed to continue developing the Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network (DuCaPHEN). This reinforces their shared commitment to exchanging expertise and coordinating efforts regionally.
The countries also reaffirmed their intention to work toward harmonized public health legislation throughout the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, with a special focus on involuntary mental healthcare and cross-border referrals for mental health patients.
Measures were also discussed to strengthen crisis preparedness, ensuring the Kingdom can respond in a unified and effective manner to any health emergency.
Collective Commitment
The consultation, organized by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor of Sint Maarten, concluded with the formal signing of agreements highlighting the collective commitment to strengthen public health systems and collaboration within the Kingdom.
Minister Richenel Brug (Sint Maarten):
“The agreements made today reflect our shared determination to build a resilient, responsive, and collaborative public health system for our islands.”
Minister Roderick Middelhof (Curaçao):
“A strong healthcare system depends on preparedness, prevention, mental wellbeing, quality, and a capable workforce. By committing to these principles, we strengthen our collective resilience.”
State Secretary Judith Tielen (Netherlands):
“Patients needing complex mental healthcare are among the most vulnerable. Together we are taking steps to strengthen mental health services across the Kingdom and align our legislation, ensuring that patients receive proper care, even on islands where these services do not yet exist.”
Minister Melvin Wyatt–Ras (Aruba):
“This is an important moment for Aruba. We are honored to assume the presidency of the Four-Country Consultation for the coming year. We look forward to hosting the next session and continuing the progress made today. Aruba will work to encourage collaboration, innovation, and unity within the Kingdom
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