Secretary of State Vincent Karremans (Youth, Prevention and Sports) will be on a working visit to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba from February 9 to 15, 2025. He will visit various healthcare and social institutions and discuss the challenges and opportunities related to healthcare, youth care, social support, and prevention in the Caribbean Netherlands.
In the discussions and visits on all islands, special attention will be given to the further improvement of the referral process in medical evacuations, as Secretary of State Karremans promised this autumn in the committee debate in the House of Representatives regarding healthcare in the Caribbean Netherlands.
Saba
The working visit of Secretary of State Karremans begins in Saba. Here he meets with the Executive Council and visits the Saba Cares Foundation. Main topics of discussion include healthcare on the island, with special attention to home care and social support. During a visit to the gymnasium in Saba, discussions are held about the importance of sports and extracurricular activities for youth.
Sint Eustatius
In Sint Eustatius, the Secretary of State visits the Sint Eustatius Health Care Foundation, Auxiliary Home, and the community center, focusing on elder care and support for vulnerable groups. He also visits a foster family, with the recruitment of new foster families as a central theme. In a discussion with the acting governor and the Executive Council, healthcare, youth policy, and social support are discussed.
Bonaire
In Bonaire, Karremans meets with representatives from Fundashon Mariadal, general practitioners, and Kas di Kuido. Topics such as accessibility of care and digitization are central here. Additionally, he visits the Cocari II Foundation, where he talks to the elderly about their experiences and the support they receive. He also visits the office of Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands to discuss their experiences with services in the context of healthcare, youth care, and social support across the three islands of the Caribbean Netherlands.
The visit concludes with the signing of a play agreement with the Public Body Bonaire and Jantje Beton to further promote play and movement among children. Subsequently, the opening of a new Special Cruyff Court in Bonaire for people with disabilities takes place.