Wescot-Williams wants to intensify
cooperation with French St. Martin
PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams said an inventory is currently being taken by Liaison Officer Dutch-French Relations Marcel Gumbs with respect to memorandums of understandings which have been drafted or signed in the past between the governments of St. Maarten and St. Martin.
A meeting that took place between Sector Director of Health Care Affairs (SHCA) Jorien Lucas-Wuite and Marcel Gumbs on Tuesday morning had determined what strategy would be taken to address cooperation areas between the Dutch and French sides of the island.
Bottlenecks were discussed such as the difference of registration systems and methods of operations utilized by both sides as well as legislation governing relations and standards for the application of services to the public.
The idea is to review existing agreements and to move forward in those areas that have already been identified and work towards a simple practical application of those agreements between the two governments of the North and South sides of the island.
Areas of cooperation identified from a public health sector perspective are hospital collaboration, disaster management, HIV/AIDS registration, surveillance, vaccinations, animal health, food safety, health promotion, and public health aspects of water and waste management.
SHCA has on several occasions participated as an observer in disaster management drills with reference to the ambulance service.
“As we move closer to the status of Country St. Maarten, it is the intention of government to intensify cooperation between the governments of the North and South sides of the island.
“With respect to public health, the aim is to improve cooperation between actors and stakeholders in order to guarantee the quality and accessibility of public health and health care services to all citizens on the island,” Leader of Government Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS).
