ABV tells NoticiaCla: ‘The problem is bigger than salaries alone’

ORANJESTAD — After Horacio Oduber Hospital director Jacco Vroegop denied reports that the hospital may be unable to pay salaries in November, ABV union president Gina Maduro has also responded to Noticiacla, stressing that employees need clear information about the hospital’s actual financial situation.

According to Maduro, hospital management is preparing a town hall meeting to explain the financial situation directly to employees and outline the factors placing pressure on hospital operations.

“During the town hall meeting, management will explain how the situation reached this point and what is causing the problem,” Maduro said.

The ABV president says the issue is not simply about salaries, but also about the hospital’s ability to maintain production and provide care. Reducing healthcare services is not a simple option while demand remains high and patients still require treatment.

Maduro also points to the relationship between the hospital and AZV. In her view, the contract between the two must clearly establish not only the quality of care, but also the price and volume of services that AZV is purchasing.

“If there is a contract with AZV, it must be clear what is being purchased, how much care must be delivered and what that care should cost,” Maduro said.

Her comments follow Vroegop’s statement to Noticiacla that there is currently no immediate threat to salary payments. According to the hospital director, if available funding remains insufficient, HOH would first reduce regular planned care before reaching a point where salaries could not be paid.

For the union, the priority is now for employees to receive direct and transparent information from management and for discussions between the hospital, AZV and the government to consider not only financial figures but also the consequences for staff and patients.

Maduro says the town hall meeting should help clarify the situation and explain what options the hospital is facing.

ABV’s message is therefore that the salary alarm should not be viewed separately from the wider problem: if funding is insufficient, the pressure will ultimately affect both the amount of care the hospital can provide and the employees responsible for delivering it.