Unions call on doctors to deposit scalpel and stethoscopes on July 7, as part of a national strike. At the origin of this mobilization? A deep discomfort in the face of the reforms brought by the Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), deemed threatening for the autonomy of caregivers and the financial stability of hospitals.
The Belgian Association of Medical Unions (Absym) thus invites white blouses, general practitioners as well as specialists, to stop work next Monday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., only ensuring urgent care. A rare approach in the sector. “It has been more than twenty years since doctors have not called a strike,” said Patrick Emonts, president of Absym. “It is not a simple anger, but a fundamental movement to defend a liberal medicine today undermined by the foreclosure of the Minister’s framework law. »»
On the ground, hospitals are busy and meetings are linked. Directions asked their practitioners to indicate in advance if they intended to participate in the action. A party responded, while others prefer to maintain their activity so as not to penalize patients or even extend already very long deadlines for certain exams or consultations. Several doctors will wear a armband as solidarity with the movement.
The Federation of Medical Houses has already distanced itself from action, believing that a system reform was indeed necessary.
The fact remains that the pre-project of framework law affects sensitive nerves in the profession. The first point of tension concerns the government’s desire to cap the fees of 125 % in hospitals and 25 % on an outpatient. Presented as a way to make care more accessible, this measure is perceived by doctors as an attack on their price freedom. It would also be, according to them, a threat to indirect funding for hospitals, which are based on these supplements to guarantee the quality of care and invest in advanced equipment.
“We do not understand why the Minister attacks fees supplements while a reform of the nomenclature is already underway,” said Patrick Emonts. “First you have to set clear reference rates for medical acts, and then define a coherent ceiling for supplements. Things must be done in the right order. The Minister replied that the two reforms are actually linked and that the final reform would only come into force in 2028.
Another sensitive subject: the deletion of the partial agreement. Doctors would be forced to choose between total or none. For Absym, this measure is likely to produce the opposite effect of that sought, by pushing many practitioners to deconcent.
Added to this is the desire to condition the granting of the inami bonuses and financial aid to the approved providers. “Whether a doctor is agreed or not, he supports the same charges, in particular linked to software, computer hardware or administrative constraints,” retorts Patrick Emonts.
Finally, the possibility of withdrawing the inami number of a doctor arouses the most lively opposition. The Minister says that this measure aims to target fraudsters and charlatans. But for Absym, it’s a red line. “It is an attack on the separation of powers and democracy. If there are crooks, they simply have to be prosecuted in court. »»
In the background, it is the fear of a gradual statization of medicine that crosses the profession, like the British health system. “Look at the NHS: it is on the verge of bankruptcy. There is a two -speed medicine, where those who have the means are treated quickly while the others wait indefinitely. Belgium could switch to the same scheme, “warns the president of Absym.
“A massive mobilization on July 7”
Several practitioners are also concerned about the consequences for patients. In an overly centralized system, the latter could lose the freedom to choose their doctor and be forced to consult the one assigned to them according to their place of residence.
“What is certain is that we head towards less freedom, less flexibility and less quality, with in parallel an increasingly strong political control over the organization of medicine,” warns Patrick Emonts. “This is precisely why we call for massive mobilization on July 7. »»
For his part, Minister Vandenbroucke says he is ready to review his copy, provided that the resulting system is more readable and more transparent, guaranteeing correct remuneration for caregivers and better tariff safety for patients. A consultation is still planned with the unions Thursday evening.
If it is confirmed, the July 7 strike will mark the first national action of doctors since 2001, a rare event in a profession that is not used to collective movements. Dentists have also joined the initiative. In Flanders, the Syndicat de Médecins ASGB also provides actions, without paralyzing care.
