Medical association classifies SVB
as a Curaçaolenean organization
~Says it is disrespectful to Windward Islands ~
PHILIPSBURG--“A Curçaolenian organisation with total disrespect for the situation on the Windward Islands,” was the term used by the Windward Islands Medical Association (WIMA) to describe the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), as the two organizations wrangle over mandatory postgraduate courses the latter is attempting to enforce.
In a letter, published in full, in today’s Opinion pages, WIMA said this latest attempt by SVB to introduce the initiative without consulting with them “is yet another example of the typical approach of the SVB. The SVB is a Curaçaolenian organization with a total disrespect of the situation on the Windward Islands. All decisions are made in Curaçao with only the Curaçao people at heart. Just compare the beautiful head office in Willemstad, specially built and spacious, with our local SVB office, rented and cramped,” the WIMA letter reads.
SVB had threatened to stop recognising medical practitioners who fail to show that they have completed at least 40 hours postgraduate courses annually. The threat was made in a recent letter sent out to medical practitioners in the Windward Islands informing them that if they failed to provide proof, SVB would drop them from its register as of Monday, September 1.
The association contended last week that, while it supported upgrading, it was against the approach taken by SVB to institute the mandatory system. WIMA said that while discussions had taken place with a Curaçao health association, no talks have been held with them. They were also against SVB monitoring the courses.
In its letter WIMA said all medical practitioners in the Windward Islands should continually upgrade their skills to maintain “a high professional level of medical care.
“In fact the WIMA members have already been doing this for years by organizing lectures, peer reviews, doing on-line training via the computer and participating in courses/conferences abroad.
An independent committee should be formed with representatives of all stakeholders and regulated by the inspection of health as was proposed to our Commissioner of Health (Maria Buncamper-Molanus) a year ago (to monitor the courses). Similar committees in Holland and Curaçao were approached but they were not interested (or) willing to manage such a system in the Windward Islands,” the letter reads.
“The SVB agreed to a mandatory education system for Curaçao with the Curaçao doctors. This initiative came from the Curaçao doctors and not the SVB. Since a tremendous increase in post-graduate courses has taken place in Curaçao, it is easy for doctors in Curacao to fulfil their training duties in evenings and weekends.
The attempts of the WIMA to communicate with SVB on this issue have been totally ignored, disrespectfully so. The SVB seems to be determined to force the Curaçao agreement on the Windward Islands without consulting the WIMA at all, without an acting committee and without organizing courses locally. The ability to leave the island for local doctors is limited not only for financial reasons but also for the lack of replacement doctors. This is even truer for our colleagues in Saba and Statia. The WIMA disagrees with an insurance company handling this matter. Therefore all WIMA doctors refuse to send their training points to SVB.”
SVB Head Windward Islands Reginald Willemsberg said last week that the insurance service provider has been lenient with medical practitioners long enough and had delayed the implementation of the new policy for the past three years.
