For the first time for almost 25 years, Belgian doctors will go on strike on July 7, 2025 to protest against the reform projects of the Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit). The union of doctors BVAS-ABSYM, which announced the strike, believes that the proposed framework law threatens the quality of care and the autonomy of doctors. Although doctors strikes are rare – the last one took place in 2001 – they have significant risks for patients and the health system. Business Am highlights the consequences and potential dangers of this action, especially for patient safety.
Context of the strike
Tensions are lively between doctors and Vandenbroucke minister about his reform projects which, according to the BVAS-ABSYM, tend towards a “state medicine” which undermines the free relationship between the doctor and the patient. A survey of doctors has shown that eight of them are ready to take action, which underlines the depth of the conflict. BVAS-ABSYM calls on doctors to close their offices and cancel hospital consultations on July 7, a drastic measure that could considerably limit access to care.
The National Council of the Order of Physicians underlines that continuity of care is an ethical obligation and that “vital services” should never be compromised. Nevertheless, experts and defense groups warn against the impact of a strike on patients, in particular given the historic lessons of the 1964 doctors’ strike, during which deaths were allocated to the lack of medical assistance.
Implications for patients
The strike is likely to train:
- The postponement of non -urgent care: Consultations, diagnostic tests and surgical interventions provided for in hospitals can be canceled. This particularly affects patients with chronic diseases that require regular monitoring, such as diabetics or cancer patients.
- Overload of emergency services: The cabinets of general practitioners being closed and the hospital consultations canceled, the patients are likely to flock in the emergency services, which could lead to long waiting times and an overload of work for staff. A similar situation occurred in England in 2024, when doctors in training strike for six days, which led to delays in treatment and increased risks for patient safety.
- Limited access to the care of general practitioners: General practitioners participating in the strike close their office, which can prevent patients with an acute condition from receiving useful care. This can lead to the worsening of conditions which are normally treatable with rapid intervention.
Dangers for patient safety
The risks for patients are important, especially for vulnerable groups:
- Delayed diagnoses: Delayed consultations may mean that serious conditions, such as heart problems or infections, are not detected in time. During the 1964 strike, deaths were reported due to the lack of medical attention, a precedent which continues to arouse concern.
- Increased pressure on other healthcare channels: Patients who do not have access to their general practitioner or a specialist can turn to less qualified care providers or heal themselves, which presents risk of diagnostic or treatment error.
- Psychological impact: Uncertainty about access to care can be a source of anxiety and stress, especially in the elderly and patients with complex medical needs. The 1964 historic strike even used psychological tactics, such as the trigger of ambulance sirens, to create an atmosphere of crisis, thus exacerbating public agitation.
Risk reduction measures
The association of doctors stressed that doctors are required to ensure emergency care. The BVAS-ABSYM indicated that vital services such as emergency care and intensive care will be saved, but the exact details of this measure are not yet clear. It is advisable to patients of:
- Contact the general practitioner’s emergency service if their doctor is not available.
- Immediately call 112 in an emergency.
- Check the scheduled appointments with their health care provider before July 7.
Hospitals and the government may work on emergency plans, such as the use of non -striker doctors or the postponement of non -urgent procedures, but these measures have not yet been officially confirmed. The situation in England, where the government has resumed negotiations after a strike, suggests that a rapid dialogue between doctors and the government is crucial to avoid a new escalation.
Social and political context
The strike reflects wider tensions in the Belgian health system, where doctors fear for their professional autonomy and patients for access to affordable care. The reforms of the Vandenbroucke Minister, which aim to control costs and to make structural changes, are considered by doctors as a threat to the free choice of the doctor and the quality of care. At the same time, the Pieter Cleppe political analyst warns that wealthy patients could turn to private clinics or care abroad, leaving the least harvested citizens the hardest affected.
Conclusion
The doctors’ strike announced for July 7, 2025 in Belgium promises major health care disruptions, with patient safety risks due to delays in care, overloading emergency services and diagnostic delays. While doctors exercise their right of protest, the association of doctors insists on the need to ensure vital services. Patients are advised to prepare for any interruptions and consult other healthcare channels. The government and doctors’ unions face an urgent task: defuse conflict and guarantee access to care. History shows that strikes in the health sector can leave deep traces – a lesson that neither doctors nor political decision -makers should ignore.
