The ongoing shortage of medical specialists remains a serious concern for Aruba’s General Health Insurance (AZV). According to AZV director Edwin Jacobs, this issue is not unique to Aruba but part of a global trend where certain specialties are facing increasing shortages. Jacobs addressed the matter during a press conference and stated that unfortunately, Aruba will continue to struggle with this problem for the foreseeable future.
On Tuesday morning, AZV held a press conference focused on its annual report. It provided an overview of the work carried out, the services delivered, and a financial summary. One of the key points highlighted was the continued difficulty in securing enough medical specialists on the island.
AZV has made funding available for care institutions to work on reducing patient waitlists. “But despite that, the problem persists because it’s not easy to find the needed specialists,” said Jacobs. He explained that, throughout the years, Aruba often had to rely on temporary replacements—typically, a visiting specialist would come from abroad every three months. “We’re aware of the complaints in the community, but it remains a major challenge for both the hospital and the Medical Institute San Nicolas (IMSAN) to find the necessary specialists.”
Jacobs noted that last year, the health institution that focuses on mental health care and services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, RESPALDO, was allocated an extra two million florins to hire specialists, but the funds went unused because the required professionals simply could not be found. He emphasized that this issue will likely continue to shape healthcare in Aruba in the coming years, as the global shortage of specialists shows no sign of improving.
