Welcome at the website of the General Physicians Organisation of Curacao (CHV).
On our website you will find information about the structure of medical care of Curacao, information about what to do when you need a doctor, which doctor to call during the night and in the weekend and more.
Organisation of medical care in Curacao
First Line of CareThe healthcare system is organised around the general physician (GP). That means that when you have a health-problem you have to contact aGP. The GP is capable of treating most of your health-problems himself.
Only when the GP thinks you need advanced diagnostic test or treatment you’ll be attended to the second and/or third line of care (other medical specialists and/or hospital-stay).
Accessibility The general practitionersof Curacao areaccessible during office hours and -for urgent health problems- at night and in weekends. During evening, night and weekends you will have to call the GP who is situated closest by the answer machine will inform you about the GP on call and his/her phone number. The staff of your hotel/resort will help you to address you the GP nearest by.
Service The GP’s of Curacao will provide you all the care that you are used to. Standards and protocols which are being used are mostly European based. You can consult the GP by phone, at his/her office (open consultation or with appointment) and the GP will –if the situations requires so-do a house call.
Information It will help the local health-care workers if you bring along a list of all your medical conditions (eg diseases and allergies) and medications. Your own doctor at home can provide this.
Medicine most medicines are available here on Curacao. Best is of course if you bring your own supply. Good to know is that antibiotics are not over-the-counter products; you will need a local prescription. This is due to the policy against antibiotic-resistance.
Costs For the GP-rates see tarieven(in naf). Ask for receipts at the doctor and pharmacy for your re-imbursement.
Special situations If you have questions about special medicines, availability of certain diagnostic test or treatments in advance of your stay here, you can always contact us or contact the staff of your hotel/resort.Eg.laboratory, radiologic test can be performed on Curacao as well as the possibility of monitoring your ‘blood thickness’ ( INR) via a special lab-ward.
Second and third line of care Curacao has several hospitals of which the St Elisabeth Hospital is the largest. It has an ER, IC, CCU, NICU, several OR’s and of course the normal wards and facilities. Curacao has no thoracic surgery unit.