“I propose that the numerus fixus system of the medical faculty be reviewed and the admission spots be increased to 30,” Member of Parliament Edgar Sampi stated in Parliament on Thursday during the budget debate.
Sampi wants the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture to collaborate on changing this system. He also called on Parliament to support this proposal. Furthermore, he suggested that of these 30 spots, 15 should be reserved for students from the interior (Marowijne, Brokopondo, Sipaliwini, and Para). Sampi indicated that the associated extra costs could be financed in cooperation with the private sector.
According to him, these students could be stationed in the interior to work for a specific period upon completing their studies. “These students understand the culture and languages of the interior.” He claimed there is a higher probability that these doctors will remain in the country longer to serve their own people compared to Cubans and Filipinos, who leave after a period of time. “A contract could also be offered to these students, requiring them to serve in the interior for at least 5 years.”
He emphasized that while the current system appears formally transparent and objective, practice shows that equal rules do not automatically lead to equal opportunities. Sampi stated he did not wish to incite ethnic sentiments but merely aimed to ensure equal opportunities for disadvantaged children.
