#MillionsMissing Holland has made its voice heard in the House of Representatives.
House of Representatives member Linda Voortman has filed questions about ME based on the protest demands with Holland’s Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Edith Schippers. In the letter, Voortman asks the minister of health if she is willing to provide more funding for biomedical research, and if she is willing to educate the medical profession about ME. Voortman cites the international #MillionsMissing movement, and also mentions the poor socio-economic position of ME patients. The letter is reproduced in its entirety below, in English and in Dutch.
“Are you willing to stand up and care for the fate of this group of people? If so, how do you intend to improve the position of this group?” Voortman asks Schippers.
It will take approximately three weeks for the Minister of Health to respond to the letter.
#MillionsMissing Holland is cautiously optimistic about having ME addressed in parliament.
“It’s nice that they have seen and heard us, but we do not expect immediate practical change in response to these parliamentary questions only. It is still necessary to take action — unfortunately,” said Celine Verweij, who helped organize the protest.
Verweij is hopeful that the questions filed by representative Voortman might open doors for talks with local health authorities.
#MillionsMissing Holland will continue the fight, and is beginning to plan for round three of #MillionsMissing. The team is exploring the idea of working closely with Belgium to hold the next protest in Brussels in front of the European Parliament.
Click below to read Voortman’s letter in English.
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