Brussels hospitals frustrated by lack of a government

Management at Brussels' hospitals have said that the ongoing government negotiations threaten access to healthcare and are calling on politicians to take responsibility and wrap up the government formation process.

It has been nine months already since government negotiations began and healthcare organisation Gibbis said that “while the challenges pile up, healthcare providers do their work without political support or a clear vision for the future”.

Brussels is struggling with growing poverty, Gibbis warned, which is having an impact on healthcare.

“The most vulnerable groups need a tailored healthcare policy,” said managing director Karel Van De Sompel, noting that hospitals are under pressure and a shortage of healthcare personnel means that beds have to be closed.

“We urgently need a policy to attract and retain healthcare providers. Our capital deserves a strong government with vision and decisiveness now.”

Care institutions must be able to adapt to new medical developments, and that requires quick decisions within a long-term vision, according to the organisation.

“Every day, Brussels healthcare institutions do their utmost to guarantee high-quality and accessible care,” said Van De Sompel.

“But they cannot bear the health of the people of Brussels alone. Enough time has been wasted.”

While governments have been formed at the federal and regional levels in Wallonia and Flanders and reforms have been implemented, Brussels lags behind.

Also sounding the alarm are the cultural sector and civil society, both of which fear being hit hard by the lack of direction from a regional government.