The state still has to evaluate the cost structure and revenues of the emergency posts of the Staatsziekenfonds (State Health Insurance Fund). Health Minister André Misiekaba stated this to journalists on Wednesday during the press briefing before the start of the Council of Ministers meeting.
The minister notes that it was agreed that an evaluation would be conducted after one year to see how everything is progressing at the emergency posts that have been reinstated. The posts were revived during Misiekaba’s term in office, after not having been used for several years.
The minister indicates that the SZF must ensure that everything runs properly financially. The SZF emergency posts are spread across several districts in Suriname, including Paramaribo, Wanica, Nickerie, Marowijne, Saramacca, Commewijne, Coronie and Brokopondo. Misiekaba stresses that the emergency posts are operated by a company that is the operational arm of the SZF.
The minister stated that the Council of Ministers recently approved the dismissal of former director Rudrakanth Oemraw. There was an internal independent investigation into his actions as director, which cited possible violations of the SZF statutes and the management regulations. The dismissal received broad attention because Oemraw had previously come under scrutiny and was even temporarily removed from the organisation in 2020–2021.
The health minister says receipt of the missive is being awaited so that the legal adviser can provide advice on the further steps to be taken in this matter. Caution has been exercised because legal problems had previously arisen when removing people. “We lose many cases in court, so we do not want to make any more mistakes in the future.”
