Health Ministry has emergency solution for SZF policy holders

The Ministry of Health has come up with an emergency solution for people with health insurance from the State Health fund (SZF). The emergency solution is expected to go into effect on July 15. SZF policy holders can’t seek medical treatment at their family doctors due to the fact that the Association of Physicians in Suriname (VMS) has issued a strike. The Ministry of Health announced that SZF policy holders can go to all the RGD clinics and the Military Hospital for medical treatment. “All of the RGD clinics are open during regular business hours and health centers will remain open until 11 pm. The Military Hospital is open every day from 7:15 am until 3 pm and from 4 pm until 10 pm SZF policy holders are being asked to only go to these alternate clinics if their family doctor supports the strike of the VMS,” said the Health Ministry in a press release. The Health Ministry deems the inconvenience regrettable and hopes that the situation will return to normal as soon as possible. “Physicians and specialists are being urged to sick to the Hippocratic Oath which they took when they chose for their profession. We urge the physicians not to join the strike because it is not in the best interest of people who are in need of medical treatment.” Health Minister Antoine Elias on Friday assured the nation that he would spare no efforts in addressing the issues within the health sector and to find solutions as quickly as possible. The minister pointed out that the Health Ministry is constantly in contact with the directors of the nation’s hospitals and the management team at the Regional Healthcare Service (RGD).