RGD increases transportation costs for ambulance services to various districts and areas

The Regional Health Service (RGD) has raised the fees for ambulance services in various districts. The reason for this is the rising fuel prices. Rani Nannan Panday, Medical Affairs Manager of the RGD, told Suriname suriname that arrangements have been made for patients who are unable to pay the costs.
“The patients can pay in installments. We are not going to let patients die. The patient does not have to pay the costs immediately; an arrangement can be made. Those who cannot pay right away can pay a small amount each month,” said Nannan Panday.
The manager further explained that the RGD is no longer subsidized, as the organization is semi-governmental and the costs incurred are very high. “We have no choice but to raise the fees,” Nannan Panday said.
Residents of Coronie find the costs high and point out that not everyone will be able to pay them. This is a significant increase, the residents complain. To their surprise, the costs in certain districts, such as Wageningen, Nickerie, and Paramaribo, have not increased, but only those in Coronie, they noted.
According to Nannan Panday, the costs have not just been increased in one district but across all RGD polyclinics. “The fees depend on the distance. The costs from Coronie to Paramaribo are very high due to the distance. The rates from Coronie to Nieuw-Nickerie have also been increased,” the manager explained, while Coronie residents claim otherwise. The new rates came into effect on October 1 of this year.

...