Doctors' strike in Belgium: how it will affect Luxembourg
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On Monday, 7 July, an unusual action was launched in Belgium: medics across the country, including doctors at Vivalia hospitals (Arlon, Virton, Bastogne, Libramont), went on strike. The reason is the reform proposed by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, which could radically change the rules for financing health care in the country.
The draft reform proposes:
- abolish the partial system of conventionality (i.e. agreements between doctors and the social insurance system),
- Introduce a ceiling on additional physician fees,
- Direct more funding directly to hospitals, bypassing the mechanism of distribution through physicians.
These measures, according to the Minister, should increase the transparency and sustainability of the system. However, many doctors think otherwise. According to representatives of the inter-municipal medical association Vivalia, the reform will hit doctors, patients and hospitals on three fronts at once.
The Association of Belgian Medical Trade Unions (ABSyM), the initiator of the strike, emphasises: "We are not only defending our own interests, but also the patients' right to quality medicine." According to the doctors, a ceiling on fees would destroy incentives to work in difficult conditions and also worsen access to certain types of treatment.
Vivalia's medical director, Dr Hébert, clarifies that there will be no general strike within the structure: "It's up to each doctor to decide whether to participate or not. Some just postpone their appointments for 15 minutes so that they have time to explain to patients what's going on".
Despite the alarming headlines, there is no threat of collapse. All emergency departments are operating as normal. If an appointment or examination is cancelled, patients will receive a new date within two weeks, Vivalia promises.
In neighbouring Luxembourg, no noticeable influx of Belgian patients is expected so far. The ambulance service in Belgium continues to operate, and the strike is mainly informational in nature. Nevertheless, against the background of other social protests in Europe, this action could be a signal that the healthcare system needs reforms, but not at the expense of destroying trust between doctors, patients and the state.
