[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Suriname is located on the northern coast of the South American continent, north of Brazil and between Guyana and French Guiana. Previously a Dutch colony, Suriname achieved independence in 1975. Health is a constitutional right<\/a> in Suriname. Article 36 of the constitution further stipulates that the government is responsible promoting health. The National Basic Health Insurance Act of 2014<\/a> mandates that every resident in Suriname have basic health insurance. For formal sector employees, premiums are shared with employers. Self-employed individuals subscribe, and the government subsidizes health coverage for those with low or no income.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Data on health expenditure” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 2021, current health expenditure (CHE) was 5.7% of GDP, and out-of-pocket expenditure was 24.8% of CHE. At that time, domestic general government health expenditure (GGHE-D) was 10% of general government expenditure. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommends that public expenditure on health be 6% or more of GDP<\/a>, and in 2021, it accounted for only 3.33%<\/a> in Suriname. However, GGHE-D as a percentage of CHE has risen from 45.1% in 2005 to 65.5% in 2022.[1]<\/a><\/sup>[\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Current challenges and solutions” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=” HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Improving equity and sustainable financing for Suriname\u2019s health sector could be approached by increasing the government\u2019s contribution to CHE. A 2018 study commissioned by PAHO<\/a> suggests that one way to increase fiscal space would be to reduce energy subsidies and implement taxation of goods which impact health (health taxes). The 2019 strategic health plan<\/a> speaks to reforming the health system by moving away from an inefficient and unsustainable biomedical disease focus to a primary health care model.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 9 – Footnotes” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”a{color:#4c7e96 }” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n