The purpose of the first survey was to collect necessary information for public health policy development and health care and services reform on St. Maarten.
The data retrieved consisted of the adult population's health and the behaviour related hereto, which was necessary to start programming for research (to develop an integrated process of health care research), policy planning and informed decision making as well as being of importance to health care providers, health educators, and consumers of health care.
Considering the fact that the initial study results can be considered outdated, due to the time elapsed and the many changes that have occurred on the island, i.e. population growth, high migration rate, infrastructural change, pollution, etc., it is of high importance to execute a similar study to get a general description of the population's current health status and their current use of health services. Data obtained from the study can then be used for the further development of policy and / or reform within public health.
The targeted population of which the study focuses on is the non-institutionalized adults (18+ years of age). This approach is taken in order to get an accurate portrayal of the general health of the general adult population residing on St. Maarten.
Considering that St. Maarten is an island with a very diverse population, it creates an interesting challenge, as many different cultural aspects have to be taken into account when preparing and executing the study, as well as analyzing and interpreting the results.
The Government of St. Maarten, more specifically the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (i.e. Public Health Department) is now in the process of hiring external consultants for the preparation, execution and analysis of the general health of the public; a follow-up 'How Healthy is St. Maarten?' study.
The bidding has officially been opened and consultants are invited to submit bids and request information until October 19, 2012, with an aim to award the project ultimately by November 23rd 2012.
The consultant will be responsible for drafting the project / research plan, working out the exact methodology and acquiring the instruments necessary, as well as getting stakeholder involvement, preparing, executing as well as managing the fieldwork, entering and analyzing data as well as providing a report and presentation of the results of the executed research (including recommendations for policy development (steps to be taken to develop and amend current policies) and health care and service reform).
The Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour of St. Maarten, hereby invites prospective bidders to the public bidding for the project. The Project Assigner is The Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour of St. Maarten, in coordination with the Project Management Team & Project Leader Public Health.
The project will be financed by the Government of St. Maarten. The Terms of Reference for this project can be obtained at the Department of Public Health and is available in English: Address: W.G. Buncamper road #33, Vineyard Office Park, Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Tel: +1 721 542-3003/542-3553/542-2078, Fax: +1 721 543-7824, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The public tender can has been published in the Government Information Page for several weeks.
