Physicians guarantee emergency treatment

Physicians who are members of the Association of Physicians in Suriname (VMS) recently promised that each patient with a card from the State Health Insurance Fund (SZF) will receive medical treatment. Union Chairman Pieter Voight announced that the union decided not to halt all services. “We took an oath and we will stick to it. The only difference is that the situation has changed.” Emergency cases will be handled if the patient has a guarantee letter even if the physicians do not receive payment afterwards. The union made it clear at a press conference that if medical treatment is not urgent, the patient will be asked to come back another time “when the SZF is once again able to fulfill its financial obligations.” Patients can visit medical specialists after February 1 with a guarantee letter with the only difference that non urgent cases will be treated like private patients. This campaign is aimed at making sure that the SZF sticks to promises made to all physicians. Voight pointed out that he is disappointed in the words that were used by Health Minister Patrick Pengel. The minister had reportedly referred to the physicians as hostage takers. He pointed out that the health providers have always had a good understanding with the minister which is why they were shocked by his choice of words. “We are no hostage takers but we want to bring about structural change in order to improve efficiency and finances.”