Vroegop: AZV cannot demand more hospital care without paying for it

ORANJESTAD — Although Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH) received Afl. 15 million from AZV this week, hospital director Jacco Vroegop warns that its structural financial problems remain unresolved. If AZV resumes deducting previously issued advances in December, the hospital could once again face serious liquidity problems, potentially affecting the continuity of medical care. In a post on his LinkedIn account, Vroegop confirmed that he met again with Minister of Health Mervin Wyatt-Ras on Tuesday. However, despite months of negotiations, no lasting solution has been reached.

HOSPITAL CANNOT REFUSE EMERGENCY CARE

According to Vroegop, HOH has provided more medical care in recent years than AZV has compensated it for. The hospital has nearly doubled in size, while demand for care, the complexity of treatments and the costs of medication, medical supplies and transportation have increased considerably. "Aruba has only one general hospital. If someone needs emergency care, develops cancer, needs to give birth or requires dialysis, we cannot say: the budget has run out, come back next year," Vroegop explained.

AZV CANNOT EXPECT THE SAME LEVEL OF CARE WITHOUT ADEQUATE PAYMENT

According to the hospital director, the fundamental problem is that AZV cannot expect the same level of care, let alone more, without providing sufficient funding.

AFL. 15 MILLION PROVIDES ONLY TEMPORARY RELIEF

The recent payment represents partial compensation for medical services provided in 2025. It allows HOH to settle overdue bills with suppliers and avoid additional restrictions on scheduled surgeries and treatments . Vroegop clarified that previous advances from AZV were not additional funding but early payments from the hospital's future budget. According to him, if AZV resumes deducting these advances from regular payments in December, the same financial problems could return.

INVESTIGATION SUPPORTS HOH'S CONCERNS

A preliminary draft of an investigation conducted by Deloitte at AZV's request confirms, according to Vroegop, that various cost increases have not been adequately reflected in the hospital's reimbursement rates and fixed funding arrangements.\ Based on these findings, HOH submitted a financial claim to AZV, resulting in the initial payment of Afl. 15 million.

VROEGOP CALLS FOR MINISTERIAL INTERVENTION

The hospital director is demanding that AZV properly compensate HOH for medical care provided in 2025 and 2026 and establish clear agreements regarding the volume, quality and cost of future healthcare services. Vroegop refers to Article 39 of the National Ordinance on General Health Insurance (Landsverordening AZV) and argues that the Minister of Health can use Article 2a of the same legislation to issue a general directive to AZV. Given the seriousness of the situation, he believes the minister should consider exercising her legal powers to help achieve a structural solution.

"PATIENTS MUST NOT BE LEFT TO PAY THE PRICE"

Vroegop emphasizes that he has no intention of creating a conflict with AZV or the government. "I have no desire for a fight, and I would rather devote my time to improving healthcare," the director stated.Nevertheless, he insists that all parties involved must assume their responsibilities. "Ultimately, patients must not be left to pay the price for inadequate funding," Vroegop concluded.With December approaching, HOH hopes negotiations with AZV and the government will produce a lasting solution to prevent renewed financial difficulties from putting medical care in Aruba under pressure.