Suriname considers telephone consultations to ease hospital pressure

The KIVC is advocating for the implementation of telephone consultations in Suriname to reduce the burden on hospitals, specifically the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP). Currently, AZP sees approximately 2,000 patients daily across various outpatient clinics.

Proponents suggest that telephone appointments could replace visits for tasks that do not require physical examinations, such as discussing blood test results, medication usage, or treatment progress. This shift could save patients significant travel time and transportation costs, particularly for those traveling hours to reach Paramaribo, while simultaneously reducing overcrowding at outpatient clinics.

The organization points to the Netherlands as a model, noting that in the first half of 2024, over 28 percent of registered outpatient care occurred outside the hospital through remote methods, with telephone consultations being the largest category.