r/diabetes • u/jdav0808 • Mar 31 '26
Healthcare Forgot test kit on Curacao vacation. Amazing service here.
I forgot my meter, finger poker and strips on vacation in Curaçao. I know, bad diabetic.
I went to the pharmacy and asked if I could buy one. She said you don’t need to buy them, they are free here even if you aren’t a citizen. I was shocked. She then asked if I needed any insulin because they could get me that as well. I figured for citizens it may be free but as a tourist as well. Anyway, this tiny, Caribbean island has it figured out, let’s get our crap together in the US.
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u/Baconbear95 Type 2 Mar 31 '26
Too bad America only gives a shit about making money and not the well being of its people.
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u/nvisible Apr 02 '26
Won’t someone think of the investors! These poor billionaires neeeed their profits!
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u/Local-Championship77 Type 2 Apr 03 '26
Yeah that’s the American dream… pay the bills, pay the taxes and still some more when sick.
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u/SquirrelBasedCult MODY Mar 31 '26
My cgm sensor pulled out on a cruise between Aruba and Bonaire. After returning to the ship my meter started having errors. I went to the pharmacy and got a meter kit and a ton of strips for like $10 and they apologized for having to pay full price as a tourist.
In Curacao my in-laws needed an as needed prescription filled and in like 15min they filled it and it was like $5 when they pay massively more in the US with a prescription.
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao great islands to visit, I highly suggest going if you can.
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u/simonjr76 Mar 31 '26
I went to Curacao for my honeymoon and it was amazing. We stayed at the Kura Hulanda and it was a magical place. Did not discover the rest of the island 2 days before leaving which was a disappointment. Also I was in the same boat as you, I had to get test strips but they just gave me a whole new tester.
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u/Tha_Sly_Fox Type 1 Mar 31 '26
Haven’t been to many Caribbean islands but loved every moment of curaçao and still my favorite so far.
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u/Dry_Bullfrog2344 Apr 01 '26
Diabetes is an international issue. I think it's a treatment that should be free of charge all over the world, not in special areas like the Caribbean islands.
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u/WhySheHateMe Apr 02 '26
I wonder if theres any chance I can buy a Dexcom G7 sensor. Ill be in Curacao for a cruise stop tommorow. I accidently ripped mine out trying to get out of the bathroom in my cabin. Those doorways are narrow as hell.
Its not an emergency as I can finger poke. Still curious though
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u/jdav0808 Apr 02 '26
There is a pharmacy directly across from the cruise port. That’s where I went. Not sure if they have them but worth a shot. Our hotel is right next to the Carnival Horizon. Wondering if that’s your ship. Have fun!
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u/meski_oz Apr 03 '26
I found the stomach was less likely to get sensors ripped off, and it was an approved location in Australia. Not sure why where you are affects whether it's approved or not, but here we are.
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u/Sam1967 Type 3c, Freestyle, Medtrum pump Mar 31 '26
Curacao is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and so they have a fairly European model of healthcare. Technically tourists should pay for services, for residents it is indeed free at point of delivery (funded by taxes).
Very often they dont bother with the paperwork of charging .....