The Diakonessen Hospital has successfully completed its sixth pediatric intestinal surgery mission, marking a significant milestone in healthcare for children with complex intestinal conditions. Conducted from November 10 to 24, the mission saw ten children undergo surgeries, with seven already discharged safely. The initiative, a collaboration between Surinamese and Dutch specialists, not only enhances pediatric care but also strengthens the expertise of the local medical team.
Led by local surgeon Anuska Jewbali and Dutch pediatric surgeon Justin de Jong, the mission has been an annual event at the Diakonessen Hospital since 2020, following its inception in 2007. The program aims to provide life-changing surgeries for children who would otherwise struggle to access such specialized care abroad, thereby improving their quality of life. Additionally, the mission facilitates intensive knowledge transfer to Surinamese specialists and healthcare staff, fostering long-term improvements in local pediatric surgical capabilities.
Jewbali emphasized the nationwide scope of the mission, with children from across Suriname being referred for treatment. The hospital’s care team handled all pre-operative preparations, ensuring a seamless process. Conducting these surgeries locally offers multiple advantages, including significant cost savings compared to overseas treatment and enabling young patients to remain close to their families during the often emotionally challenging recovery period. The pediatric ward operates with 24-hour parental participation, further enhancing the quality of care.
The surgeries addressed conditions such as anorectal malformations, intestinal atresias, Hirschsprung’s disease, and esophageal atresias. Patients ranged in age from two months to ten years, with all procedures deemed successful. The medical team included Dutch pediatric nursing specialist Marijke Voskeuil, responsible for post-operative care; Shirley Sussenbach, a senior operating room assistant from the Netherlands; and local specialists such as I. Thakoer, a pediatric radiologist, and Y. M. Chou-Lie, an anesthesiologist.
The Diakonessen Hospital’s leadership expressed pride and gratitude for the mission’s success, highlighting the importance of sustainable collaboration and structured knowledge exchange to further strengthen pediatric surgical care in Suriname.