GREAT BAY:--- Minister of Public Health, Cornelius De Weever thus far has granted a total of 65 permits to medical professionals based on the advice of the Department of Public Health. The permits provided were pertaining to various disciplines in the medical field, and are granted based on the policy "Health Care Services Sint Maarten."
"It is my priority to facilitate all healthcare professionals and institutions to improve the overall quality of care to our population," said Minister De Weever.
The policy "Health Care Services Sint Maarten," states that the admission of medical professionals is based on the need of care which is defined in the established manpower planning. This in turn regulates the distribution of medical practitioners on St. Maarten. The permits granted are what has been given up to November 2013.
It is important to note that the processing of establishment permits for medical professionals is a collaboration with the Inspectorate of Public Health, the Ministry of Education(Exams Division) and CIBG, which is the agency responsible for certification and registration of medical professionals in the Netherlands.
Below is a listing of the various disciplines and the amounts that were granted.
Surgeons 2; Internist 1; Pediatrician 1; Eye Specialist 1; Anesthetist 1; Radiologist 1; Emergency Room Doctor 3; General Practitioners 2; Aviation Medical Doctor 1; Insurance control doctor 1; Dentist 1; Pharmacist 1; Psychologists 3; Speech Therapists 2; Occupational Health Therapists 2; Physical Therapists 3; Dietician 2.
In addition, in accordance with the ordinance regulating the practice of medical professionals, the Minister of Public Health may issue permits due to acute shortages to guarantee the continuity of the specialized care. Based on this the following medical professionals were granted temporary admittance.
Cardiologist 3; Radiologist 16; Gynecologists 2; Surgeons 3; Internist 1; Pediatrician 8; Physical Therapists 1.
For additional information on establishment procedures, please contact the Department of Public Health on telephone numbers 721 542-2078/721 542-3003/721 542-3553.