Bonaire – The Caribbean Netherlands Healthcare Committee 2025 met for the first time physically in Bonaire on March 31 and April 1. Under the leadership of chairman Frits Goedgedrag, the committee focused on the future of healthcare in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. The committee will formulate recommendations for the Secretary of State for Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS) to establish a future-proof healthcare infrastructure in the Caribbean Netherlands. With representation from local governments, the healthcare sector, and external experts, an important step has been taken in this process.
The committee consists of the administrators of the Caribbean Netherlands – Mr. John Soliano (Bonaire), Mr. Jonathan Johnson (Saba), and Ms. Alida Francis (Sint Eustatius) – supplemented by representatives from the healthcare sector, including Mr. Giovanni Frans, Mr. Philip van Woerkom, and Ms. Willemijn van Leeuwen. The director of Healthcare and Youth Caribbean Netherlands (ZJCN), Mr. Herbert Barnard, and two external experts, Ms. Edilse Goeloe and Mr. Patrick Jeurissen, also participate in the committee. Ms. Kareshma López serves as the secretary.
The committees task is to formulate recommendations for the further development of the healthcare infrastructure in the Caribbean Netherlands. Within the existing legal frameworks, the plan will provide insight into how healthcare can be strengthened and improved in the coming years, aiming to achieve a level of care equivalent to that of European Netherlands. The report “The Caribbean Netherlands: Health System Review” serves as the guideline.
During the meeting, various themes were discussed, including accessibility and quality of care, preventive care and health promotion, geographical challenges, the labor market for healthcare professionals, and strengthening the position of the patient. Consideration is also given to the experiences and signals from residents, as shared in earlier conversations with local governments on the islands.