Last Friday, September 12th, a milestone in healthcare on Bonaire was reached. For the first time, chemotherapy treatments were prepared entirely locally and administered in an official setting at Fundashon Mariadal. This means patients requiring chemotherapy no longer need to travel to Aruba or Curaçao, but can receive their treatment in their familiar surroundings, close to family and friends.
During the COVID period, chemotherapy was already administered locally in emergency situations using courses flown in from Aruba. The difference is that treatment can now be provided systematically and safely on Bonaire itself, in the oncology day clinic at Fundashon Mariadal.
Four treatment protocols available
Currently, four treatment protocols are available locally for various cancer types: breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and gynecological cancers. The courses are safely prepared by the pharmacy (Botika) and administered by the oncology nurses, who play a central role as case managers and first point of contact for patients.
Years of preparation
The realization of this development is the result of years of preparation and collaboration. Special thanks go to the oncology nurses at Fundashon Mariadal, Internist-Oncologist Daniel Souwer, pharmacist Kevin Schwengle, and Renee Grouls and his colleagues at Catharina Hospital, who made a crucial contribution to the preparations and setup of the pharmacy. External partners, such as the Amsterdam UMC, also played a key role in developing protocols and quality assurance.
A milestone for healthcare on Bonaire
With the official launch of chemotherapy on Bonaire, Fundashon Mariadal is taking a significant step forward in oncology care. This not only provides relief for patients and their families, but also strengthens the capacity and quality of care on the island.
About Fundashon Mariadal
Fundashon Mariadal is the largest healthcare institution on Bonaire and offers a broad spectrum of medical and support services. Based on its core values of love, innovation, professionalism, and service, and its strategic pillars of nurse-driven, data-driven, and value-driven, Mariadal works to provide high-quality, future-proof care for the community.