Your Trusted Health Screening Partner in Curaçao
Fundashon Prevenshon is a leading organization in prevention in Curaçao, with more than 18 years of experience serving the community. We make screening accessible to all citizens by offering free transportation to our screening center in Otrobanda and by working with government partners to include screening in the social healthcare package.
About Caribbean Prevention Center
Caribbean Prevention Center—known in our native language, Papiamentu, as the Fundashon Prevenshon—was founded on December 23, 2008, at the initiative of Professor Dr. H.M. Pinedo and the late Mr. Lionel Capriles.
Since its inception, the Caribbean Prevention Center has partnered with the Government of Curaçao, as well as with major local benefactors, businesses, and organizations, to achieve its mission of strengthening prevention and saving lives. Over the years, population-based screening programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer have been successfully implemented.
The most recent initiative is the Vita Screening Program, which focuses on the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This screening is complemented by the opportunity to participate in a lifestyle intervention program aimed at promoting healthier habits. The Vita program seeks to reduce the rising number of new cases of diabetes and heart disease, which continue to increase at an alarming rate.
Several additional screening programs—including glaucoma, prostate, and others—have been developed and are currently awaiting funding and the support of healthcare professionals before they can be offered to the population of Curaçao.
Fundashon Prevenshon is located in the heart of Curaçao’s cherished and historic Otrobanda district. The organization is housed in a national heritage monument with a rich past, having previously served as a police station. Today, the building stands proudly in its bright aquamarine color, mirroring the beauty of our surrounding waters and symbolizing hope, care, and prevention within the community.
Our Mission
Mission and Vision
Our Mission and Vision center on advancing preventive healthcare through excellence in screening and early disease detection. By fostering proactive health management, we strive to improve longevity and overall quality of life for the people of Curaçao.
Goal
Our Goal is to advance public health outcomes in Curaçao by lowering preventable mortality and curbing the progression of disease through accessible, efficient, and sustainably organized population screening initiatives.
By minimizing illness and premature loss of life, families can remain whole and supported, contributing to the strength and well-being of the broader community.
Key activities
- Organizes awareness and information sessions for the local population
- Provides education on various diseases and raises awareness of the importance and benefits of population‑based screening.
- Prioritizes continuous training and professional development for staff to ensure high standards of expertise, dedication, and client‑centered care.
- Invests in marketing and public relations, including the dissemination of health information in four different languages to ensure accessibility across Curaçao’s diverse population.
- Implements population screening programs aimed at preventing the development of serious diseases and detecting existing conditions at the earliest possible stage.
- Promotes and facilitates scientific research in preventive healthcare in Curaçao in collaboration with the University of Curacao.
- Uses research findings to gain insight into target group behavior and communication preferences, improve outreach strategies, and enhance effective engagement in screening programs and the dissemination of screening results in Curaçao.
Our Board
Our board
Our Board is responsible for ensuring that the Foundation’s activities align with its overall mission and strategic objectives. Each Board member contributes specific expertise, including medical, legal, financial, client‑focused, informational, and public relations experience.
The Chairman of the Board serves as the primary spokesperson of the Foundation. He maintains relationships with benefactors and medical experts and engages in regular consultation with the management team. The Chairman also shares relevant medical publications on screening and other related topics with both the Board and management to support informed decision‑making.
All Board members serve on a voluntary basis and do not receive any remuneration for their activities.
The Board of Directors consists of seven members, as illustrated in the organizational chart (organogram).
Committees and Advisors
The Board is supported by the following committees:
- Audit Committee (financial oversight)
- Medical Ethics Committee (METC)
- Complaints committee
- Scientific Committee
In addition, the Board is advised by four subject‑matter experts, each specializing in a key area of preventive healthcare:
- Breast Cancer Screening: R. Ljumanovic
- Cervical Cancer Screening: I. Gomez Bravio
- Colorectal Cancer Screening: E. Dekker
These advisors provide valuable expertise to guide the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Foundation’s screening and prevention programs.
- Prof. Dr. Ashley Duits, Chairman
- D. Pinedo, Vice Chairman
- R. van Eps, Secretary
- K. Lombardi-de Freitas, Treasurer
- N. Guttenberg-van der Wal, Member.
- L. Capriles-Leon, Member
- Prof. dr. I Merkies, Member
In addition, the Board’s honorary member, Prof. dr. H. M. (Bob) Pinedo provides medical advice.
Our Team
Our team
Our organization is a close‑knit team of highly trained professionals dedicated to excellence in preventive healthcare. Day‑to‑day operations are overseen by the General Director and the Director of Research & Development, ensuring strong leadership, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
All team members interact with clients in a careful, respectful, and professional manner. Effectiveness, professionalism, and client safety are the core values that guide our population screening programs.
Operations and Support
Activities within the organization encompass a wide range of functions. The structural workflow of Fundashon Prevenshon is divided in two divisions:
- Financial and operational division: Manager Financial Officer, HR officer, Financial Officer, IT Officer, Communication Officer and Facility staff
- Care division: Manager Care, Coordinator Screening Program, Medical specialists and physicians, Quality Manager, Mammography technician, Nurses, Scientific Coordinator, Administrative staff and PhD student
Every role within the organization is essential to the successful execution or our screening programs. The technical aspects of our operations are supported by custom-designed ICT software, which enables efficient program management, implementation, and follow-up of the population screening program.
Management and Staff
Management Team
- Louise Elstak – General Director
- Myrtra Barby – Assistant to the Director
Medical Imaging and Radiation Technicians (MBB’ers)
The Medical Imaging and Radiation Technicians team consists of five qualified technicians who work independently and in rotating shifts. They are responsible for conducting mammography examinations, monitoring radiation safety, and guiding clients carefully through the examination process to ensure comfort and safety.
Registered Nurses
Our nursing team includes five registered nurses specialized in cervical and/or colorectal screening procedures. Their responsibilities include:
- Performing cervical smear tests
- Guiding clients through the intake and preparation processes
- Assisting physicians during colonoscopy procedures
- Performing measurements and questionnaires for Vita
Together, our nurses play a vital role in delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care throughout the screening process.
Building prevention, one milestone at a time. Discover our story throughout the years.
Fundashon Prevenshon opened its doors nearly 18 years ago, providing Curaçao with high-quality screening programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. These milestones have been made possible through the dedicated efforts, collaborations, and generous support of many individuals and partners. Take a look at our timeline to discover more details about our timeline.
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2008
Establishing of Fundashon Prevenshon
The caribbean prevention center was first established as a private foundation by Professor Dr. H.M. Pinedo and the late Mr. Lionel Capriles. Initially, Fundashon Prevenshon provided breast cancer screening. This was later expanded to other organs.
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2009
Exploitation permits
Permits for exploitation of the screening center were obtained in accordance with the healthcare institutions regulation law.
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2009-2019
Housing
The building at Klipstraat 11 in Otrobanda housed Fundashon Prevenshon. This building was made available by the Jacob Foundation free of charge during 10 years.
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2009
Collaboration with the Dutch Expert Center for screening
Contract signed between the LRCB Netherlands and Fundashon Prevenshon. Under this contract articles were established for quality assurance and improvement of the breast cancer population screening program.
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2009
Implementation of Information systems
Software implementation for information systems for breast (IBOB) and cervix screening program (CIS).
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2010
Grand Opening
Official grand opening of Fundashon Prevenshon as a screening center.
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2010
Free transportation to our location
Making screening available to all citizens by reducing the transportation burden. Free transportation was possible due to a kindly donated bus.
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2011
Board approval for Cervical Screening
Scientific research on cervical cancer and thereafter the population-based screening for cervical cancer was approved by the board.
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2011
Membership acquired
The Caribbean Prevention Center acquired membership to the scenologic international society
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2012
Award
The “Golden Sun Award” was granted to the Caribbean Prevention Center for its community services by the local radio Hoyer.
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2013
Mini symposium on HPV
The Caribbean Prevention Center organized a mini symposium “HPV in preventive healthcare”
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2014
First audit
First audit of LRCB with positive results achieved.
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2014
Award
The US Organization ASCO granted the prestigious David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award to professor Pinedo.
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2015
Cervical Cancer Research
Dr. D. Hooi analyzed the cervical samples for scientific research to determine hrHPV prevalence in woman of Curacao. A total of 1000 hrHPV DNA tests were evaluated.
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2015
Caribbean Prevention Center lectures at the Parliament of Curacao
Prof. Pinedo gives a lecture on the importance of screening at the parliamentary session in Curacao. During this lecture he emphasized the continued existence of the Caribbean prevention center and how it is threatened by a lack of subsidies.
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2015
Cervical Cancer Research
Dr. D. Hooi analyzed the cervical samples for scientific research to determine hrHPV prevalence in woman of Curacao. A total of 1000 hrHPV DNA tests were evaluated.
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2016
Preventive Medicine conference
The preventive medicine conference was organized to celebrate the start of the cervical cancer screening program. Prof. Dr. Harald Zur Hausen, Nobel prize winner for the Discovery of the Human Papilloma Virus was the keynote speaker of this event.
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2016
Start of Cervical Cancer Screening
The start of the Cervical Cancer Screening program was launched in June 2016.
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2016
First government funding received
The Caribbean Prevention Center received government funding for the first time.
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2017
Honorary doctorate
On October 7th, the University of Curacao presented Prof. Dr. Pinedo with an honorary doctorate for his work in the Field of Cancer treatment.
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2017
Opening of sublocations
The Caribbean Prevention Center sets up four other locations where participants can take the screening test for cervical cancer.
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2018
Technology Upgrade
Installation of the 3D mammography as a gift of the local and International Rotary Organization.
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2018
Kòmbersá Salú
Kòmbersá Salú conference withheld at WTC on May 29 and September 2nd.
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2019
Move to the Molenplein location
We moved! The Caribbean Prevention moved to Molenplein in Otrobanda. Fundashon Bon Intenshon offered the location free of cost for a period of 10 years.
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2020
Rotary Club Willemstad
Rotary Club Willemstad and Fundashon Prevenshon kick off an intensive Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, starting in October ‘20 and ending in June ‘21.
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2020
Launch Colon Cancer Screening Program
In June 2020 a pilot program was rolled out. Thereafter the official screening program was kicked off in September.
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2021
Collaboration Agreement UoC and Fundashon Prevenshon
A collaboration agreement was signed with the University of Curacao. This collaboration stimulates scientific research for prevention efforts.
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2023
LMLAC Conference
International conference on lifestyle medicine and prevention in Latin America and Caribbean. See link: Lifestyle Medicine in Latin America and the Caribbean – Prevention of NCD’s
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2026
Vita
Launch of the Vita program, a new screening to prevent NCDs and provide lifestyle intervention programs to reduce the risk of developing NCDs.
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2026
CMC and Fundashon Prevenshon collaboration agreement
A collaboration agreement that facilitates the strengthening of prevention programs through exchange of staff and patient information.
We work with passion and dedication for healthy families
Our dedicated team at the Caribbean Prevention Center works tirelessly to promote healthy families through education, screening, and early detection programs. Read more about us or check our career page for job opportunities.
Did you go through our Screening program? We would love to hear your feedback.
