18 years ago Aruba took an important step with the introduction of health insurance for the entire population, functioning independently from the government. In 2001 AZV became the first national health insurer in the kingdom, The Netherlands followed suit in 2006. The national ordinance (law) AZV that is being executed by the Executive Body AZV was approved unanimously by Parliament on February 13, 1992. With the implementation of AZV in 2001, all things care-related were brought together under one roof. Employers, employees, health care providers, and private insurers they all had a say in the establishment of AZV. Before the AZV was implemented there were different health care plans with different coverage and insufficient access for specic parts of the population. Since 2001 a lot has changed. New types of medical care were introduced and existing ones like dialysis and revalidation were expended. San Nicolas got a new medical facility (link ImSan) and at this moment the dr Horacio Oduber Hospital in Oranjestad (link HOH) is being renewed and expanded. AZV is funded in three different ways. By premium, Government contribution and BAZV.
