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PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is still to receive the NAf. 5 million government had promised to provide the institution to conduct urgent repairs and upgrades.
The funds are not related to SMMC's current NAf. 5 million deficit. SMMC General Director Kees Klarenbeek, who just clocked one year and five months in SMMC's employ, said that once received, the funds would be used in a positive manner for urgent repairs and on things that could be used in the new or expanded medical centre.
In addition to the NAf. 5 million from government, Klarenbeek said Social and Health Care Insurances SZV had agreed to provide a loan of NAf. 2.5 million to SMMC. The terms and conditions of the loan are still to be ironed out.
Former Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams had announced in June 2014 that SMMC was going to receive the funds. She said at the time that NAf. 5 million would be made available to the institution for "urgent repairs and upgrades."
Klarenbeek said this week that SMMC most likely would have to continue operating in its current building for at least another four years in lieu of the planned expansion or construction of a new medical institution.
The funds will be used to upgrade SMMC's surgical operating rooms, which are in dire need of an upgrade, and to expand doctors' offices, as SMMC is looking to expand the number of medical specialists operating in service. Expansion of doctors' offices also is needed for quality purposes.
The funds also will be used for emergency maintenance and for the expansion of outpatient offices and support services offices. A backup generator also will be purchased, amongst other things. The latter can be used in the new or expanded facility.
Regarding SMMC's future, Klarenbeek is hoping that the new or expanded hospital will be a comprehensive facility that in addition to medical services can also have a section where SZV can be located, a medical training centre to groom nurses and other medical professionals, amongst other amenities.
The investment SMMC is making is to keep a sustainable standard of care for the hospital. "It needs to be done and we are happy that government and SZV are willing to get this done. Members of Parliament and the Council of Ministers have brought this forward and it is supported by SZV and APS [general pension fund – ED.]," SMMC said.
