Health News in English

City government seeks 'extra enforcement' against nuisance drug users

The Amsterdam city government is investing 3.5 million euros to combat rising drug-related public nuisance through stricter enforcement and expanded support services. Key measures include increasing t...

Haarlem completes investigation: Main sewer in Kleverpark neighborhood did not cause rat nuisance

An investigation by the municipality of Haarlem has concluded that the local sewer system was not responsible for a recent rat plague in the Kleverpark neighborhood. Alderman Robbert Berkhout stated t...

Zero-tolerance zones, extra drop-in centers: Amsterdam wants more measures against nuisance from addicts

Health gap for children in Southeast starts before birth: "Alarming result"

A study by Erasmus MC reveals that infants born in Amsterdam Zuidoost face significantly higher health risks, with stillbirth and low birth weight rates double the national average. Researchers emphas...

Cabinet wants ban in principle on use of steel slag

The Dutch cabinet plans to implement a principle ban on the use of steel slag to protect human health and the environment. Under the new proposal, permits for using the material will only be issued if...

Steel slag use in construction soon to require permit: State Secretary Annet Bertram working on ‘no unless’ ban

State Secretary Annet Bertram is developing new regulations for the use of steel slag in construction, effectively introducing a "No/unless" ban. Under these rules, a permit will only be granted if th...

Corona hearings with Rutte, Schoof and Koolmees next week

Former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, current Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and former Minister Wouter Koolmees will testify next week before the parliamentary inquiry committee investigating the Dutch COVI...

Corona hearings enter new week: Rutte, Schoof and Koolmees to appear before inquiry committee

Mark Rutte, Dick Schoof, and Wouter Koolmees are scheduled to testify next week before the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee regarding the organization of the COVID-19 response. This marks the sec...

Former NCTV head: lobbying had increasing influence on measures

Former National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg testified to a Dutch parliamentary inquiry that lobbying interests had an increasing influence on COVID-19 policy ...

A new swimming pool. Implementation of the Distribution Act. Vape-free zones. These are Beverwijk’s major plans for the next four years

The new coalition in Beverwijk, consisting of Vrij! Beverwijk, PRO, VVD, and D66, has outlined its policy goals for the next four years. Major plans include building a new swimming pool at Sportpark A...

Norwegian Crown Princess has pulmonary fibrosis: No cure, but early detection and lung protection help

Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit is preparing for a potential lung transplant as a last resort for her chronic pulmonary fibrosis. Lung specialist Wim Wuyts emphasizes that while the disease is in...

State visit at Dam Square? No, it’s Kinderbeestfeest (and a Thai delegation)

A police-escorted convoy at Dam Square in Amsterdam caused initial confusion on Wednesday, appearing to be a state visit but actually serving the Kinderbeestfeest charity event. Shortly after, a Thai ...

People worldwide eat nearly six times as much chicken as in 1961

A report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that global meat production has quadrupled over the past sixty years. On average, individuals worldwide now consume nearly six time...

Aalbersberg: Netherlands not prepared for broad crises like COVID-19

Former National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg stated that the Netherlands was unprepared for a broad crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that while plan...

Watch the hearing of former NCTV chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg

A Dutch parliamentary inquiry commission is questioning Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, the former head of the NCTV, regarding his role during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing, which is being broadcast via...

Aalbersberg (NCTV) regrets using the term 'wappie'

Former NCTV chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg told a parliamentary inquiry committee that he regrets using the term 'wappie' during the COVID-19 pandemic. He testified about his involvement in informal go...

Van Dissel sometimes 'irritable' about how specific the request for advice was

Jaap van Dissel, the former head of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), stated that advice requests from the Dutch Ministry of Health were sometimes too specific to answer. He noted that these detaile...

Corona measures were not too late, says Van Dissel

Former RIVM director Jaap van Dissel stated that national COVID-19 measures in 2020 were not implemented too late. He explained that these actions followed logically once it became clear that individu...

Stolen KWF tent found and being sent back: 'Very happy with it'

A stolen KWF tent from the Vissenloop walking event has been found and is being returned to the organizers. The recovery follows the tent's disappearance last weekend, which had caused significant con...

Van Dissel: COVID testing policy was adjusted earlier in practice

Former RIVM director Jaap van Dissel told a parliamentary inquiry committee that COVID-19 testing policies in the Netherlands were often adjusted in practice before they were officially updated in gui...

Fire at residential care complex in Beverwijk, person treated by paramedics

A fire broke out at the Elsanta residential care complex in Beverwijk on Friday morning. Emergency services responded to the scene, where at least one person was treated by ambulance staff.

Top model Marlijn Hoek (33) recovered from a four-meter fall down the stairs that shattered her face: ‘I definitely thought it would never be okay again’

Crown Princess Mette-Marit on waiting list for lung transplant

Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant as her chronic lung disease has progressed to a serious stage. The Norwegian royal court announced on Fri...

Van Dissel wanted to keep OMT away from political considerations

Jaap van Dissel, former chair of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), stated that the committee aimed to provide strictly medical advice for pandemic containment during the COVID-19 crisis. He emphasiz...

Van Dissel: OMT relied on outside information at start of COVID

Jaap van Dissel, head of the Dutch Outbreak Management Team, told a parliamentary inquiry committee that the team relied heavily on external information from sources like the WHO during the early stag...

Video | Princess Kate hugs emotional patient completing cancer treatment

Former RIVM head Van Dissel: 'Images of coffins in the street shaped our initial focus, elderly care came later'

Former RIVM head Jaap van Dissel testified before a parliamentary inquiry committee on Friday regarding his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. He addressed past decisions concerning school closu...

Half of dogs and cats overweight: ‘It’s actually a form of abuse’

Approximately half of all dogs and cats in the Netherlands suffer from overweight, a condition that significantly impacts their health and life expectancy. A veterinarian warns that pet obesity is a s...

Fully pesticide-free greenery remains unattainable for Haarlem for now

Alderman Robbert Berkhout announced that Haarlem will not meet its goal of having all city greenery pesticide-free by 2028. The delay is caused by the limited availability of trees, shrubs, and grass ...

Doctors sue Philip Morris over 'misleading' campaign

A group of doctors and health organizations has filed a complaint with the Dutch Advertising Code Committee against a campaign by Philip Morris International. They allege that the company is using a m...