It bothers Bert Brunninkhuis, chairman of Q-uestion, a lot. And he is talking about the differences in the treatment of corona patients and Q fever patients. “We have the same symptoms. Different measures are now being taken than at the time during the Q fever outbreak. Every wallet is now open, ”says Brunninkhuis. In the foundation’s newsletter he even talks about ‘arbitrariness and discrimination’.
First of all: Brunninkhuis understands that combating the corona virus has the highest priority and that money is allocated for all kinds of measures. “At the time, we also thought that Q fever deserved the most attention. People who still suffer from Q fever also want the treatments that are currently being given to corona patients. We want equal treatment. ”
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Q fever broke out in 2007 and killed more than 100 people. “More than 1500 people are still sick.” The foundation for people with Q fever sent an angry letter to Minister Tamara van Ark last month. In it, the foundation argues, for example, for an extension of convalescence care in the basic insurance for Q fever patients. “With corona, there are additional fees in the aftermath of the infection. Q fever patients have had to pay for that out of their own pocket for years. ”
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In the corona crisis, duped companies have all kinds of financial arrangements to keep their business running. “We understand that. But also during the outbreak of Q fever, people have seen their businesses go down. They did not receive any compensation for this at the time. While goat farmers, who did everything, for example, received around 60 million euros in compensation in 2010. And what about the mink farmers. Nobody got sick there, but 180 million has been earmarked for it. ”
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Finally, the foundation refers to the special fund for healthcare personnel who have become infected with corona. “The cabinet has made about 10 million euros available in it. There was no money for the healthcare personnel who contracted Q fever. ”
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Brunninkhuis thinks his own. “It’s pure discrimination. Treating people in the same circumstances differently, you make a distinction. And it is arbitrary if you pull your wallet in one case and not in the other. It is double standards. I want at least an answer from the minister. ”
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