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Migrant workers who have lost their jobs and are ill must return to their country of origin for medical attention. That’s what PVV Health Minister Fleur Agema wants, she says interview with ZemblaBNNVARA research program. If it were up to her, sick migrants would only be entitled to intensive care. She doesn’t want to say exactly what intensive care is. According to doctors, it is difficult to distinguish between intensive care and other care.
“It’s not up to me to find out what intensive care is, the profession does that. And they have to decide together: who is the man we have in front of us and isn’t it time for him to come home?” says Agema.
Health care providers who deal with the ‘uninsured’ every day do not understand Minister Agema’s statements. Hospital director Inge de Wit from Ikazia Hospital in Rotterdam reacts with surprise: “Our doctors take an oath to see and help every patient. It is inhumane to deny people care. If the minister makes more decisions there, I hope she will take the influence very seriously.”
Migrant workers are brought to the Netherlands by companies that like to use cheap labor that is willing to do hard and unpleasant work. When they are fired, workers are often left on the street because housing is arranged by the company. The group of uninsured people from whom Agema wants to remove care includes approximately 5,000 people.
The care they need is paid for from a subsidy fund from the Ministry of Health. Last year, almost 75 million euros were financed from this subsidy fund for the care of uninsured people. Minister Agema says that migrant workers are no longer legally unemployed in the Netherlands at a certain point. She now wants to make cuts of 40 million, partly by denying planned care to this group.
It is impossible that Agema is now asking healthcare providers to differentiate between intensive and planned care, according to Rotterdam street doctor Marcel Slockers. “That distinction cannot be made for doctors and nurses. If someone has epilepsy, is bouncing around on the street and needs to go to the hospital, that is indeed intensive care. But does real care also mean that the person gets their emergency medication every day? Because if he doesn’t get that, he might have ten of these attacks in a month. “In addition, Slockers says that planned care should not be rejected at all: “We are talking about a fundamental right to care, we will go over all the rules in Europe and at the World Health Organization if we implement this strange plan of the minister. “
2024-11-22 11:15:00
#Agema #stops #medical #aid #migrant #workers #lose #jobs #Joop
To what extent does Minister Agema’s proposal prioritize economic considerations over the fundamental right to healthcare, and what are the potential ramifications of this approach?
## Discussion Questions: Agema’s Proposed Cuts to Medical Aid
This article brings up a complex and controversial issue regarding healthcare access for migrant workers.
**Section 1: The Minister’s Proposal**
* What are the ethical implications of denying healthcare to migrant workers who have lost their jobs?
* Minister Agema suggests that migrant workers should only receive “intensive care.” How can a clear definition of “intensive care” be established in this context, and what are the potential dangers of making such a distinction?
**Section 2: Healthcare Professionals’ Response**
* How do the views of healthcare providers, such as hospital director Inge de Wit and street doctor Marcel Slockers, challenge Minister Agema’s proposal?
* What are the arguments for considering healthcare a fundamental right regardless of immigration status?
**Section 3: The Situation of Migrant Workers**
* What are the specific vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly those who lose their jobs?
* How could scenarios like these impact societal trust and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities?
**Open-Ended Discussion Prompts:**
* Is Minister Agema’s focus on minimizing costs justifiable? Are there alternative solutions to address the financial burden without denying essential healthcare?
* Should companies be held responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of their workers, including access to healthcare, even after employment ends?
* What role can society play in advocating for the rights and well-being of vulnerable migrants?
**Further Exploration:**
* Research the international legal frameworks and conventions related to healthcare access for migrants.
* Investigate the current policies and practices regarding healthcare for uninsured individuals in your own country.
* Explore the impact of similar policies in other countries and the resulting consequences.
