The Minister of Health, Welfare, and Labor, Drs. André Misiekaba, officially inaugurated the Multisectoral Port Health Committee on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The committee is led by Chairperson Vivian Bijnaar and is tasked with contributing to improved international health surveillance at Suriname’s borders.
The committee focuses primarily on strengthening preparedness at airports, seaports, and border crossings. This is intended to ensure Suriname is better prepared for potential health risks that could enter the country via travelers, goods, or cross-border traffic.
A key task of the committee is to coordinate policy with relevant ministries, services, and private organizations. Consultations with involved stakeholders will be held annually. Additionally, an updated Port Health policy plan must be drafted and distributed every two years.
Furthermore, the committee will work on capacity building. This will be achieved through the organization of workshops, training sessions, and exercises. Advice will also be provided to involved partners, and programs in border districts will be supported.
The committee will also take on a supervisory role. It is responsible for monitoring the progress and development of programs managed by various partners.
In addition to its executive duties, the Multisectoral Port Health Committee will advise the Minister on the further establishment of the national Port Health Program. For its nationwide rollout, the committee will collaborate with other ministries and international organizations.
