Villagers need MZ services

the time that SRD 200,000 was needed to fix the problems. The minister pointed out at the time that the investments were not urgent. He recommended handing in the problems as a project so that he could seek funds. The project has been handed in but the MZ still has not received any response from the minister of Health. SRD 27 million for the MZ that is on the Health Ministry’s budget has already been approved. But the healthcare agency did not get the full sum in 2015 and 2016. In the past two years the government has only transferred SRD 19 million to the bank account of the agency that provides healthcare services to residents in the hinterland. That money was just enough to cover the salaries. The MZ reportedly receives SRD 350,000 from insurance companies every month but that barely covers the costs of purchasing medicines. Somai made it clear that the situation is acute at the MZ. A few days ago the MZ received SRD 1.5 million from the government. But that is only for the salaries and not for the operational costs. “The 2017 budget has not been discussed yet so we do not know what else we will get. It is always difficult trying to make ends meet.” Last year the MZ had to sound the alarm several times due to the lack of funds needed to remain operational. The MZ even had to put all its services on hold as a result of the problems. The MZ reportedly signed a MOU with the regional hospital Nickerie (LMSZN) on February 8, 2013. As part of the MOU, the MZ assist the LMSZN when it sends medical missions to Apoera and Washabo. The missions could not be carried out last year due to the financial impairment of the MZ which handled the logistics. The District Commissioner of Nickerie has promised to look for an ambulance for Apoera and Washabo. The MZ hopes that others will also pitch in so that it can keep providing health services to the residents of Suriname’s hinterland.