PHILIPSBURG, SINT MAARTEN — Gromyko Wilson is calling on the government, SZV, general practitioners and pharmacies to establish a dependable after-hours healthcare system to reduce overcrowding and long waiting times at the hospital’s Emergency Room.
“Patients constantly complain about spending hours at the Emergency Room,” Wilson said. “Serious emergencies must always receive priority, but many residents go to the ER simply because they cannot access a doctor anywhere else.”
Wilson noted that most doctors now require appointments, making same-day care difficult when someone becomes unexpectedly ill. The problem becomes worse during evenings, weekends and public holidays.
“This is especially frightening for parents whose baby or young child develops a high fever, breathing problems, persistent vomiting or severe pain at night,” Wilson said. “Families should not have to call doctor after doctor or wait for hours in a crowded ER without knowing where else to turn.”
Elderly residents and people with chronic illnesses also need timely access to medical advice, prescriptions and care when symptoms suddenly worsen.
“Families caring for elderly parents should be able to contact a medical professional before the situation becomes life-threatening,” Wilson said. “Healthcare does not stop at five o’clock, and illness does not wait until Monday morning.”
Wilson stressed that doctors must also do their part. Sint Maarten’s published requirements state that a general practitioner or authorized substitute must always be reachable by telephone for non-life-threatening emergencies. General practitioners must also arrange weekend and after-hours services, which may be organized through a duty roster.
“If these are the requirements, why are so many patients still unable to locate an available doctor?” Wilson asked. “Doctors entered their profession to care for the sick. In keeping with the oath and ethical responsibilities they accepted, they must work together to ensure that patients are not abandoned after regular office hours.”
Wilson said responsibility does not rest on individual doctors alone. Government, VSA and SZV must enforce the requirements, establish a proper roster and ensure doctors are fairly compensated for providing after-hours care.
The HAP was introduced in 2023 as a temporary pilot intended to provide after-hours GP care and reduce pressure on the Emergency Room. It later lost SZV coverage following reported concerns about costs, possible double payments, services allegedly provided outside the agreed scope and deviations from contractual terms.
“These were serious allegations involving the possible misuse of limited healthcare funds,” Wilson said. “The reported evaluation or audit remains confidential. The public deserves to know what was found, how much was spent and whether any rules or laws were breached.”
Wilson said the controversy surrounding the former HAP must not become an excuse for leaving residents without after-hours care.
“We should not repeat a questionable arrangement, but we still need a permanent solution,” he said. “Doctors must cooperate, pharmacies must participate, and government and SZV must create and supervise a transparent system.”
Wilson called for:
- Enforcement of existing after-hours obligations for general practitioners
- A transparent rotating duty roster for doctors
- Guaranteed same-day access for urgent, non-life-threatening cases
- An on-call rotation among pharmacies
- A central telephone number for medical assessment and referrals
- Clear public information identifying the doctor and pharmacy on duty
- Transparent billing and independent oversight by VSA and SZV
“Almost sixteen years after 10-10-10, our people should not still be struggling to find basic medical care after hours,” Wilson concluded.
“Parents with sick children, elderly residents and patients in pain deserve better.”
“A properly managed system will shorten ER waiting times, reduce pressure on hospital staff and give families the reassurance that medical assistance is available when they need it.”
