January 9, 2025
Nearly all ministries have an independent inspectorate, operating free from direct ministerial instructions. Inspection is a core function of government, focusing on compliance with policies, laws, and regulations. According to the relevant national ordinance, the task of the inspectorate is clearly defined.
Until the arrival of Jan Huurman as the Inspector of Public Health, the public was barely aware of the role and impact of inspections. Huurman made significant waves, enforcing many improvements in the healthcare sector. Ironically, this proactive approach cost him his career in Curaçao. He even wrote a book about his experiences. His successor has taken a far less visible approach, yet the problems in healthcare have not diminished. If anything, they seem to have grown worse.
Another form of inspection familiar to the public was conducted by the so-called MEO or the multidisciplinary team. This team primarily inspected restaurants, supermarkets, and minimarkets, often accompanied by a camera crew, turning inspections into news items. Personally, I found this problematic, as businesses are entitled to a degree of privacy.
This team was effectively disbanded following an inspection at a restaurant frequently visited by ministers and politicians. When the owner called the ministers directly, officials were ordered to reopen the establishment immediately. This incident marked the beginning of the end for that particular inspection team.
It highlights a broader issue: in small societies, conducting independent inspections is exceedingly difficult.
Miguel Goede
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