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A16 LOCAL
Wednesday 8 May 2019

Urgency (UCA) or Emergency (ER)?

How to choose where to go for medical attention

Dr. Carlos Yagua Velasquez, Managing Director of UCA
explains that they, as a family of nine (9) physicians, start-
ed the development of UCA in 2013, because it provides
patients with an alternative to the emergency room which
can be too costly and time-consuming for situations like
common illnesses and minor injuries. He states that “While
the ED at the Dr. Horacio Oduber is best equipped to
handle life-threatening illnesses and injuries, it’s important
that patients are aware that there are more affordable
options available for less serious situations.”

Although not a substitute for the emergency room, UCA is
a more affordable and has to shorter wait times –30 min-
utes or less. It’s less time consuming and more conve-
nient while helping the local community and visitors save
money.

When emergency care is needed, such as heart attacks,
strokes, bleeding or severe burns, it’s vital to go to the ER
at Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital immediately.

Financial Savings
When patients visit the emergency room for non-emer-
gencies, they risk incurring a substantial financial loss.
Emergency rooms are more expensive for treatment of
non-life-threatening situations, while UCA at the Noord
Medical Center charges on average a third of the cost.

Plus, a large percentage of all emergency room visits
should be going to UCA.
Dr. Carlos Yagua Jr. and Dr. Carlos Yagua Sr., son and father Additionally, UCA accepts certain travel insurance plans,
with either full coverage, co-pays, or they will provide you
ORANJESTAD — When on vacation and an unexpected health mishap arises, many with all pertinent documentation for reimbursement as a
people’s first reaction is to head to the emergency room. But when those illnesses and self-pay visit.
injuries aren’t true emergencies, not knowing the best option for care can end up cost-
ing both time and money. Understanding the options
“With the availability of a facility, such as UCA, patients
So how do you know where to go when medical attention is needed? need to take care to understand their options,” Dr. Carlos

Yagua Jr said. “The emergency room prices can cause
Urgent Care Aruba (UCA) or Emergency Department? sticker shock for patients who aren’t aware of the distinc-
UCA at the Noord Medical Center provides a way to keep up with patients’ daily health- tion.”
care needs, serving as a vital link between the emergency room and the primary care
physicians. Residents and visitors from abroad should be sure to con-
Urgent Care Aruba known as UCA, is gathering resources to educate and promote on firm the type of facility they’re visiting, as treatment at the
the best healthcare options.
ER may cost more than UCA at the Noord Medical Cen-
ter. q

Contact:
Carlos Yagua Velasquez
UMC Urgent Medical Care NV
+297-5860448
cyaguav@urgentcare.aw
www.urgentcare.aw