The doctors’ union BVAS-ABSyM has announced a strike for Monday, 7 July, in opposition to health reform plans proposed by Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke.
On Friday morning, BVAS-ABSyM presented a series of concrete alternative proposals to Vandenbroucke in response to his draft framework law. Following this meeting, the union filed a strike notice, stating, “Striking is not customary for doctors, but we believe this is the only remaining means to make it clear to the minister that his draft framework law is unacceptable.”
On 17 June, BVAS-ABSyM held a management committee meeting to determine actions in response to numerous calls from its members for a strong signal. “It was decided to organise an information strike day, where we will explain to patients why doctors are protesting and what the consequences of the measures in Minister Vandenbroucke’s draft framework law are,” the union stated.
According to the union, patients face “a decline in the quality and accessibility of care.” They assert, “With the patient as our primary concern, we are sending this signal to protest multiple red lines being crossed with this draft framework law.”
BVAS-ABSyM is calling on all doctors nationwide, both general practitioners and specialists, to participate in this protest on 7 July by closing their practices and cancelling hospital consultations.
Earlier this week, a survey by medical journals Medi-Sfeer and De Specialist revealed that a majority of doctors are willing to strike and take strong actions. Vandenbroucke’s plans include capping fees for non-contracted doctors, ending partial conventions, and potentially withdrawing the Riziv number in case of violations.
