🏥 Massive increases in hospital fees in Suriname

Happy Monday!

This week we cover increasing prices in hospital rates while we also cover compensation rates from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV). Lastly, we also cover the continued political crises in the Pertjajah Luhur (PL) party.

After sustained financial trouble, hospitals in Suriname have increased their rates by 113% on average.

• Hospital fees in Suriname, including daily rates and service charges, will increase by an average of 113% to address financial challenges. The adjustments aim to help hospitals independently cover operational costs, staff allowances, and debts while ensuring patients no longer need to source their medicines.

• Payments will now flow directly through the State Health Insurance Fund (SZF) with guarantees from the Ministry of Finance to reduce delays and bureaucracy.

• The increases include lab, radiology, and maternity package rates, with daily rates rising from SRD 1,970 to SRD 4,200 at the Academic Hospital Paramaribo and from SRD 1,688 to SRD 3,600 at other hospitals.

• The measures follow longstanding complaints about outdated rates and late SZF payments, which have led to strikes and supply shortages. An additional SRD of 300 million will be incorporated into the new rates to improve hospital operations, though the changes will fall short of resolving significant hospital debts.

Suriname’s farmers have received upwards of SRD 65 million in compensation during the last year.

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV) published a list showing SRD 68.2 million in compensation for 1,499 rice farmers in Nickerie. SRD 27.7 million was provided as fertilizer and SRD 41.5 million in cash.

• However, dissatisfaction persists as some farmers claim incorrect or missing payments. Complaints have been filed with the police, and misconduct accusations have been sent to President Santokhi.

• VHP Vice-Chairman Asis Gajadien, after coordinating with relevant ministries, ensured the list was made public on Facebook, highlighting the importance of transparency for farmers to verify the compensation details.

Suriname’s political troubles continue as the Pertjajah Luhur (PL) party has devolved into a one-person party.

• Political factions in Suriname face tension as the Pertjajah Luhur (PL) party, which is now a one-person faction, demands that the Ministry of Transport, Communication, and Tourism (TCT) be returned to them.

• The PL rejected President Chan Santokhi’s offer of two deputy minister posts, leading to a standoff with Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk of ABOP. The appointments will not proceed this month due to a pause in discussions.

• In the National Assembly, members criticized the coalition's instability. BEP leader Ronnie Asabina described the VHP-ABOP alliance as a "forced marriage" on the verge of collapse, while NDP’s Melvin Bouva accused the government of operating through backroom deals and broken promises.

• Former minister Bronto Somohardjo, PL’s vice-chair, claimed the president's assurances hold no value.

• President Santokhi acknowledged coalition disagreements but maintained that issues are being addressed in the national interest. He emphasized that deputy minister appointments are strategic, aimed at resolving ministry-level challenges, and not politically motivated.