PHILIPSBURG–Finding suitable medical-related staffers and the lengthy processing time to acquire permits for medical specialists to operate are two challenges for St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).
“SMMC’s most pressing need at this moment is finding suitable medical-related employees. It’s an ongoing challenge to convince our own that are studying abroad or have recently graduated to return home and contribute to raising the level of health care here,” General Director Kees Klarenbeek told The Daily Herald.
SMMC is represented annually at the recruitment drives aimed at particularly Dutch Caribbean nationals living in the Netherlands. While there is some success in recruiting through such avenues, in light of the need for more full-time employees due to the continued expansion of medical services, SMMC could “use more of our own here at home.”
Klarenbeek said interested medical candidates can always apply via the SMMC.SX/CAREERS section of the hospital’s website, which is linked to its Human Resources Department.
He said the processing time of the required permits for medical specialists is a major challenge. “When bringing in medical specialists, lots of paperwork needs to be processed by the various governmental departments. Although the time needed to process these has decreased, in order not to lose the opportunity to contract a vacant medical specialist from abroad, we hope this can be further decreased,” said Klarenbeek.
This topic also has been elaborately discussed in the Tripartite Committee.
He said also that SMMC is still confronted with the issue of uninsured patients who seek medical attention at the facility leaving unpaid bills. The Tripartite Committee (a working committee representing the Health Ministry, Social and Health Insurance SZV and SMMC) has recognised the necessity to seek solutions for the financial burdens regarding this.
“Regardless of the financial burden, SMMC will always provide the necessary emergency care for every individual patient, insured or uninsured,” Klarenbeek said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/82604-specialists-permits-finding-suitable-medical-staffers-issues-for-smmc
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