In a significant healthcare advancement for Suriname, Diakonessenhuis Hospital has established the country’s only officially accredited Pain Medicine Clinic, complete with a registered anesthesiologist-pain specialist. This specialized facility addresses the growing demand for expert care among patients suffering from chronic and complex pain conditions.
The clinic’s emergence responds to two critical healthcare trends: population aging and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. The Pain Clinic specifically serves patients experiencing persistent pain for more than three months, recognizing that chronic pain requires fundamentally different treatment approaches compared to acute pain from surgeries or accidents.
Medical director Raïssah Ho-Asjoe, Suriname’s sole registered anesthesiologist-pain specialist, leads the clinic with particular expertise in oncological pain management. Meanwhile, colleague Gonzalez Alvarez focuses on acute pain treatment within the hospital, creating a comprehensive pain care ecosystem.
The clinic employs a multifaceted treatment methodology combining:
– Analgesic medications for pain relief
– Co-analgetic supportive medications
– Interventional procedures including pain block techniques
– Non-invasive therapies such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Treatment success is measured by an international standard of achieving at least 50% pain reduction—a target frequently realized in practice. This achievement enables patients to better manage their discomfort and significantly improve daily functioning.
The clinic demonstrates particularly remarkable outcomes in palliative and end-of-life care, where enhancing both quality of life and quality of dying remains paramount. This specialized approach positions Diakonessenhuis as a pioneer in comprehensive pain management within Suriname’s healthcare landscape.