State Secretary Vincent Karremans (Youth, Prevention, and Sport) to visit Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba
State Secretary Vincent Karremans (Youth, Prevention, and Sport) will pay a working visit to Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba from 9 to 15 February 2025. During his visit, he will meet with various healthcare and social institutions and engage in discussions on the challenges and opportunities related to healthcare, youth care, social support, and prevention in the Caribbean Netherlands.
A key focus during these discussions and visits across all three islands will be the improvement of the referral process for medical transfers, a commitment State Secretary Karremans made during a parliamentary committee debate on healthcare in the Caribbean Netherlands last autumn.
Saba
The visit will begin on Saba, where the State Secretary will meet with the Executive Council and visit Saba Cares Foundation. Discussions will centre on healthcare services on the island, with a particular emphasis on home care and social support. Additionally, during a visit to the gymnasium, he will engage in conversations about the importance of sports and after-school activities for young people.
St. Eustatius
On St. Eustatius, the State Secretary will visit the St. Eustatius Health Care Foundation, the Auxiliary Home, and the community centre, where the focus will be on elderly care and support for vulnerable groups. He will also visit a foster family, with discussions focusing on the recruitment of new foster families. Furthermore, a meeting with the Deputy Island Governor and the Executive Council will cover topics including healthcare, youth policy, and social support.
Bonaire
On Bonaire, Karremans will meet with representatives from Fundashon Mariadal, general practitioners, and Kas di Kuido, with accessibility to healthcare and digitalisation as key discussion points. He will also visit Stichting Cocari II to speak with elderly residents about their experiences and the support they receive. Additionally, he will visit the office of Zorg en Jeugd Caribisch Nederland to discuss with staff their experiences in providing healthcare, youth care, and social support services across the three islands.
The visit will conclude with the signing of a Play Agreement with the Public Entity of Bonaire and Jantje Beton, aimed at promoting play and physical activity among children. This will be followed by the official opening of a new Special Cruyff Court on Bonaire, designed for people with disabilities.