On Friday, June 19, 2026, EFS College COVAB and the Marwina Regional Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide healthcare training in the Marowijne district. Through this collaboration, the parties aim to contribute to the decentralization of healthcare education and the strengthening of healthcare in the districts.
The agreement was signed by Angèle A. Wallerlei-Kumbangsila, General Director of EFS College COVAB, and Henk Aviankoi, General Director of the Marwina Regional Hospital. The signing took place in the presence of Minister André Misiekaba of Health, Welfare, and Labor.
According to the ministry, the collaboration aligns with the policy of bringing healthcare training closer to students outside Paramaribo. Suriname has long struggled with a shortage of qualified healthcare personnel, particularly in the districts. Because many training programs and healthcare capacities are concentrated in the capital, the availability of healthcare professionals in other parts of the country is under pressure.
With this new partnership, students from Marowijne and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to pursue healthcare training closer to home. COVAB fulfills the role of the national training institute, while the Marwina Regional Hospital will serve as a practical and learning environment for students from the region.
The goal is to connect education and practical training locally. This allows students to be prepared for healthcare practice within their own living environment. At the same time, it is expected that graduates will be more likely to continue working in Marowijne or nearby districts after completing their studies.
The collaboration is intended to lead to, among other things, a higher intake of students from the region, better progression, higher graduation rates, and a structural increase in qualified healthcare personnel. It should also contribute to a better distribution of healthcare professionals across the country and the strengthening of the regional healthcare infrastructure.
A key component of the partnership is the establishment of fully equipped distance learning classrooms in Marowijne. Through modern educational technology, students will gain access to healthcare education without having to travel to Paramaribo every time.
The ministry, COVAB, and the Marwina Regional Hospital view the collaboration as a step toward future-proof healthcare, where talent development, regional strengthening, and accessibility are central.
