Complaints platform launched for Brussels hospitals violating language laws
The minister for the Flemish periphery, Ben Weyts of N-VA, has announced the creation of a complaints platform for emergency services and hospitals in Brussels that do not provide care in Dutch.
In a press release on Friday, Weyts said: "Dutch-speaking people from the Flemish periphery and Brussels have the right to be treated in their own language, especially in situations where every second counts. It is simply a human right."
Emergency rooms, emergency medical teams (MUGs) and public hospitals in Brussels are legally obliged to operate bilingually. In practice, however, this is not always the case. While the federal government has pledged in its coalition agreement to closely monitor compliance, the Flemish authorities are taking immediate action by setting up this new reporting mechanism.
Reporting violations
The Flemish People's Movement (VVB), the Flemish Medical Association (VAV) and the Flemish Committee for Brussels (VKB) have launched the initiative. In the meantime, minister Weyts is calling on the public to report violations online.
Complaints will be collected and analysed and, if necessary, legal action will be taken against hospitals that do not comply with the law.
"This will ensure that everyone is aware of the scale of the problem and that we can take real action. Hospitals that fail to comply with the law and disregard basic human rights should, in my view, be held to account," he said.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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