Paramaribo Academic Hospital (AZP) has identified the persistent exodus of healthcare professionals as the primary catalyst for extensive surgical waiting lists and the systematic reduction of medical services. Since 2023, the institution has consistently raised alarms regarding the departure of qualified staff and the urgent need for structural improvements in employment conditions.
Hospital Director Claudia Redan recalled that a comprehensive proposal for sustainable solutions to better compensate medical personnel was initially submitted in 2021. While temporary allowances were implemented and provided short-term relief, they proved inadequate for long-term stability. These supplements failed to contribute to pension accrual and did not address fundamental issues such as proper overtime compensation.
The scaling back of operating theaters and other critical services originated during this same period. Officially, AZP has been functioning at approximately 50% of its surgical capacity for several years, with recent months dipping even below this threshold. Compounding the challenge, AZP remains the only medical facility performing emergency surgeries around the clock, frequently requiring postponement of scheduled procedures due to urgent cases from the Emergency Department.
Redan detailed multiple countermeasures implemented in recent years, including significant expansion of operating room assistant training programs. The hospital also attempted to borrow surgical assistants from neighboring institutions or secure operating time at other facilities for AZP surgeons. These efforts proved unsuccessful as other hospitals faced similar capacity constraints, ultimately redirecting additional patient volume back to AZP.
Although patients requiring non-complex procedures could theoretically seek treatment at other hospitals, an ongoing dispute between surgeons and the State Health Insurance Fund (SZF) prevents SZF-insured patients from accessing these alternatives. This situation creates additional and unjustified pressure on the academic medical center.
AZP emphasizes that surgical procedures may only occur in safe and responsible environments. The hospital has issued apologies for current service limitations while requesting public understanding. Simultaneously, work continues on structural solutions, with expectations that gradual increases in surgical capacity will materialize within one to two months.