Medical treatment for cancer patients in critical condition

The medical treatment needed by cancer patients in Suriname is in critical condition due to the huge shortage of chemotherapy supplies. The nation’s oncologists have already sounded the alarm to get the government to address the issue stat. “As of this week many patients will not be able to undergo or continue their chemotherapy treatment and this will of course have serious consequences for their chances of survival. Cancer is the second biggest cause of death and therefore a huge health problem in Suriname.

But because of a lack of funds many can’t afford the necessary medication,” said the Association of Physicians in Suriname (VMS). Patients have been waiting for the next phase of their chemotherapy for a long time while many others have not even started getting theirs yet. The one thing that is making the situation even more serious is the fact that the patients have to pay for important surgeries and checkups which are not cheap, from their own pocket. The State Health Insurance Foundation (SZF) often does not cover these bills which is why the patients and their relatives have no other choice than to pay these bills. Payment issues often cause more delays in the medical treatment. “A maximum payment of only SRD 6,000 is given for chemotherapy per insurance holder per insurance year. As an oncologist it is no longer possible for me to provide healthcare to cancer patients adequately so that they have a higher chance of survival because the ceiling of SRD 6,000 is reached quickly after the start of the therapy.

One of the nation’s two oncologists last year informed health agencies of the government that patients or their families can’t afford to cover the rest of the costs that are needed for further treatment. So far nobody has reponded to the fact that the alarm has been sounded. The VMS expressed grave concern about the lack of important medical supplies that are needed to treat patients and therefore urged the government to address the issue sooner rather than later.