EBS apologizes for cutting off power to hospital

The Energy Company Suriname (EBS) immediately switched the power back on after it was reported that it had cut off power to the Diakonessenhuis. Several clinics located at the hospital were also without power. The crucial wards and departments of the hospital were not in the danger zone as a result of the EBS’ actions. The EBS pointed out that it was never its intention to cut off power to a section of the hospital. The power to a section of the hospital was cut off because it had not paid the electric bills. The EBS explained that the hospital has multiple connections and several unpaid bills but that it never cut off the power because of the services being provided at the hospital. The EBS also explained that only two connections of the hospital which are registered as Surinaamse Stichting Diakonessenarbeid had been switched off. “Those connections are categorized as small commercial ones and the bills are paid at the cash register. Given the fact that there are multiple unpaid bills and because there were no obvious links to the hospital, it was decided to halt power supply to those connections. The EBS regrets the incident and hopes that the unpaid bills issue will be resolved soon. The EBS will discuss the issue with the National Hospital Council (NZR) soon.” The NZR last week condemned the actions of the EBS and pointed out that many patients rely on the medical equipment and other things that need electricity to function. The NZR made it clear that shutting down the power supply to a hospital is not only antisocial but that it also puts the lives of people at risk. The Health Ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the NZR have been discussing the energy prices and measures aimed at using less electricity at the nation’s hospitals for about a year. The NZR has repeatedly made it clear that it is willing to pay the electric bills.