Hoefdraad: “President has faith in Surinamese healthcare”

Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad on Tuesday responded to comments from the opposition by saying that “it is complete nonsense to state that President Desi Bouterse has no faith in the Surinamese healthcare and the Surinamese specialists for his medical checkup. The National information Institute (NII) indicated that the Finance minister made it clear that Suriname has a good level of healthcare and that it is not true that the president has a negative opinion about that. The Finance minister added that “the president has to go abroad for certain medical treatments.” “The same goes for citizens who have to seek medical treatment in Colombia and other countries. President Bouterse has had his annual checkup 2 years ago,” said Hoefdraad. President Bouterse left for Cuba on August 27. The plane reportedly had to make a mandatory fuel stop in Caracas, Venezuela. After the plane had landed at the airport in Caracas, the president was welcomed by the Venezuelan minister of Foreign Affairs. The president and the Foreign Affairs minister reportedly seized the opportunity to discuss the mutual friendship and issues such as the oil for rice deal. After the plane had landed in Cuba President Bouterse was welcomed by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and the head of the Americas Department of Cuba. The director of the State Health Insurance Fund (SZF), Rick Kromodihardjo,who also accompanied the president will reportedly discuss the program which is aimed at sending Surinamese patients to Cuba for medical treatment.

Hoefdraad pointed out that the odds are in Suriname’s favor especially given the fact that Suriname now has a direct connection with Cuba thanks to local airline Fly Allways. The direct flights which Fly Allways offers will help reduce travel expenses. The medical treatments in Cuba are reportedly also cheaper. The Finance minister has reportedly left for the United States of America where he will hold talks with various international institutes and give an update on Suriname’s macroeconomy.