PHILIPSBURG:---- On Friday November 13, 2015, the Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labour Mr. Rafael Boasman and the interim director of SZV (Social and Health Insurances) Mr. Glen Carty signed a cooperation protocol strengthening the collaboration between the two entities.
The SZV designated by Government as the social security administration agency, is responsible for the implementation of the social- and health insurances, among which the sickness insurance as well as the AOV and AWW.
SZV also has an important advisory role to the Minister with respect to policy frameworks and national laws and regulations related to social and health insurances, while the main responsibility of the Minister of Health, is to provide an accessible, affordable and quality health care system.
During the last weeks many discussions have taken place on the further improvement and structuring of the mutual cooperation between the Minister of Health and SZV. This culminated in the adoption and signing of a protocol of cooperation between both organizations.
The protocol lays down the general principles for the cooperation, as well as the arrangements relating to the regular consultations and exchange of information between the Minister and the Director of SZV for the purpose of carrying out their duties.
In practical terms, this means that they meet at least once every quarter, alternately at the offices at the Minister and of SZV.
Both the Minister and the SZV will within short appoint a coordinating contact person from their respective organizations, who will function as a point of contact for the implementation of what has been agreed upon in this protocol.
The Cabinet of the Minister runs the secretariat and will be mainly responsible for the agenda, reporting and timely dispatch of documents to the contact persons.
Important topics during the consultation, among other are the implementation of the social and health insurances, the exchange of statistical data, the budget and joint internal and external communication efforts.
In the short term, a joint communication plan will be executed by which society at large will be informed of the consequences of the recent increase in AOV-age from 60 to 62 years.
Another priority is to establish a joint format to which the Minister and SZV will exchange and synchronize their statistics from SZV. These statistics are very important to determine what the current situation is in St. Maarten, e.g. in terms of the number of people being insured and employed. These statistics will also be used as input for studies and research, e.g. for a feasibility study on possible unemployment benefits in Sint Maarten.