Horacio Oduber Hospital director Jacco Vroegop says rising operating costs and growing demand are putting increasing pressure on patient care in Aruba.
Hospital cites prices and limited compensation
In an interview reported by NoticiaCla, Vroegop said AZV compensation has risen by about 2 percent a year while hospital costs have increased more quickly. He cited medical gloves costing 15 to 16 percent more and some medicines rising by as much as 30 percent.
He also said the hospital is serving more people without a proportional increase in funding. According to Vroegop, the result is that some services cannot be provided as intended and waits for certain care are becoming longer.
Unpaid care adds to financial pressure
The director said approximately Afl. 28 million remains outstanding for care provided to undocumented patients. He emphasized that the hospital will not deny medically necessary care, but said unpaid costs affect investment and capacity for patients insured through AZV.
Vroegop reported one recent step forward: stakeholders agreed to investigate the hospital’s actual cost increases. The HOH rising costs update provides direct confirmation from hospital management and adds material detail to earlier political concerns about its finances.
Source: NoticiaCla.
