Suriname needs more Filipino nurses

PARAMARIBO, SURINAME: Suriname’s requirement for more Filipino nurses to work in their public health sector was the main topic of conversation during Ambassador Marichu Mauro’s meeting on  1 August 2018 with Dr. Antoine Elias, Minister of Public Health of Suriname.

Minister Elias said that there are currently 61 Filipino nurses working in Suriname, of which 59 in the Academic Hospital Paramaribo and 2 in the Mungra Medical Center. He added that Suriname hospitals need more nurses to work in their government hospitals and public health centers.

The meeting came after Surinamese President Desiré Bouterse expressed his concern about the departure of Filipino nurses from the country to Ambassador Mauro when she presented her credentials to the President on 30 July 2018.

Minister Elias praised Filipino nurses for being "very warm" and for treating patients "like they were a part of their family." He admitted that a number of Filipino nurses have left for better opportunities in neighboring Caribbean countries.

Ambassador Mauro thanked Minister Elias for providing a safe haven for Filipino nurses in Suriname. The two officials discussed ways on how to enhance bilateral relations in this area.