Are there any psychiatrists on the island? My hubby and I are considering semi-retirement. I'm a psychiatrist with lots of experience treating patients of all ages, and I'm wondering what kind of demand there may be for my services.

Also, I've had no luck yet in finding out the name or how to contact whichever agency it is that oversees medical licensure in Bonaire.

I believe there is a visiting one from Curacao. I am a counselor and had asked about practicing on island in 2001 but had no luck. I would have loved to work with girls and do groups and offered in several places but no one took me up on my offer, even to volunteer. There have been some tragedies on island including a few young deaths and I wonder, who does grief work?? Dunno...

You are an MD so your question is vastly different. Good luck

Carolyn, I believe you would most likely have to be able to treat patients in Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamentu, as well as perhaps a little English, to be considered. Most health-care workers on the island are multi-lingual.

I think this issue has come up countless times. Unless you are Dutch or Antillean it will be very difficult to get a position in the medical field. I am not saying it is impossible, but to date I only know of two folks who were able to put their US degrees to work here. I would seriously suggest you find a US island where you will not be bucking the system.

I know there is a very nice counselor working for the police department with victim assistance.
I was wondering about the need for an alcohol and drug counselor as myself, but then again I am currently only fluent in English.

it's not only the language but this is a completely different culture and to counsel it certainly is necessary to know the customs and morals as well as the role and structures in the family and that requires living here for a long time.

There are numerous trained folks here that can fill those positions but alas, no budget to pay them! We do have alanon and a few drug programs, but they are not that well organized. As for volunteers, they must be fluent in the language.