Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Midwife takes speeding fine to court: "I'm doing this for all colleagues in the city"
Midwife Karolien van Beek challenged a speeding fine in an Amsterdam court, advocating for healthcare providers to receive exemptions when responding to medical emergencies. She argued that current sp...
RIVM realized early on that COVID outbreak was much larger than expected
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) realized early in the pandemic that the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan was significantly larger than reported by China. This findi...
Gommers: We must never let people die alone again
IC doctor Diederik Gommers testified before a Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee, stating that pandemic measures must never again prevent people from being with dying loved ones. He emphasized that...
Gommers: Money was the reason for not always accepting patient transfers
Diederik Gommers testified to a parliamentary inquiry committee that financial concerns prevented some hospitals from accepting intensive care patients during the second COVID-19 wave. He noted that c...
Watch questioning of RIVM modeler: he foresaw ‘catastrophe’, but did the early warning get through?
The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic response held hearings featuring intensive care physician Diederik Gommers and RIVM modeler Jacco Wallinga. The proceedings focused on whethe...
MSF: more emergency aid needed to contain Ebola outbreak
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has called for increased emergency aid to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One month after the outbreak began, the organization warns that ...
Gommers: clash with Rutte over ICU admission age limit
Former OMT member Diederik Gommers revealed he had a conflict with former Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge over using age as a criterion for ICU admissions. Gommers maintain...
Gommers: letting hospitals fill up was a bad choice by the cabinet
IC doctor Diederik Gommers testified before a Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee that the cabinet made a "bad choice" by allowing hospitals to fill up during the second COVID-19 wave. He argued tha...
Watch the questioning of ICU doctor Diederik Gommers by the COVID-19 commission
Diederik Gommers, the former chairman of the national association of IC doctors, appeared before the Dutch parliamentary corona inquiry committee on Monday. His testimony is part of a series of hearin...
Rough North Sea spoils triathlon again. 'Swimming would have made the race more fun'
The swimming portion of the DTS Zandvoort triathlon was canceled due to rough conditions in the North Sea, turning the event into a duathlon. Iris Bosch won the modified race, though she expressed dis...
Shania Twain appreciates her body more in menopause: 'Not in control of everything'
Canadian singer Shania Twain shared in an interview with The Times that she has become less strict with her body since entering menopause. She revealed that she previously engaged in unhealthy habits ...
'Hey, hello! How many times have I saved you now, man!?' Lifesaving swimming refresher course at De Zien pool in Uitgeest
Volunteers at the De Zien outdoor swimming pool in Uitgeest participated in a refresher course for lifesaving swimming on Saturday. The pool has been managed by a volunteer foundation since 2014 and r...
Watched Oranje last night? How to stay awake today
After staying up late to watch the Dutch national team's first World Cup match, many fans may struggle to stay awake during their workday. Sleep therapist Rianne Braal provides advice on how to manage...
'The bike ride across the beach seemed endless': Adventurers endure 40 hours of hardship without phones or sleep during Dutch adventure race championships
The 2026 Dutch Adventure Racing Championship commenced at FC Oegstgeest, where participants began a grueling 40-hour endurance challenge without sleep or mobile phones. The competition involves variou...
Look back: Highlights of the Special Olympics
Over 2,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities participated in the Special Olympics held in the Noord-Holland region this past weekend. Local broadcaster NH provided extensive coverage of the even...
Why you should clean between your teeth and the best way to do it
Dentist Edwin Winkel highlights the importance of cleaning the spaces between teeth to maintain overall oral health alongside regular brushing. He provides guidance on choosing the right tools, such a...
Private clinic Bloemendaal under fire: 82-year-old plastic surgeon to retire at year-end with mixed feelings: 'I am good, I make people happy'
Medisch Centrum Bloemendaal, a controversial private plastic surgery clinic, will close its doors permanently at the end of this year. Owner Joost van Tetering, 82, stated that he decided to shutter t...
Princess High Lemonade draws a full house at Stayokay Assumburg: 'I want to be a mom, teacher, and princess when I grow up'
A princess-themed High Lemonade event was held at Stayokay Assumburg on Sunday to raise funds and awareness for 22q11 Duplication syndrome. The event featured activities for children in a castle setti...
Youth care taking larger bites out of Haarlem city budget: council members launch investigation
A special committee of Haarlem city council members is launching an investigation into the rising costs of youth care in the city. The decision follows a 3.5 million euro increase in expenditures over...
Midwife challenges speeding fine on way to delivery: ‘Can’t drive 30 with sweating armpits’
Dutch midwife Karolien van Beek is challenging a speeding fine in court, arguing that the urgency of childbirth sometimes necessitates driving above the speed limit. She is seeking legal recognition f...
Critical biography of Wim Hof named best journalistic book
Journalists Robert van de Griend and Anneke Stoffelen have won the 2025 Brusseprijs for their book De ijsprofeet, a critical biography of wellness guru Wim Hof. The award recognizes the work as the be...
Kourtney Kardashian suffered a miscarriage before the birth of her son Rocky
Kourtney Kardashian revealed in the documentary "Travis Barker: Love Is Louder Than Fear" that she suffered a miscarriage before the birth of her son, Rocky. She shared the news alongside her husband,...
Stress hasn't got to Ronald Koeman: 'Headaches? That's an exaggeration'
Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman has stated he remains unfazed by stress despite criticism of his demeanor and disappointing results in recent friendly matches. Following feedback from hi...
'I thought I was pregnant with twins growing in a melon and fed them shaving foam': Natasja (38) speaks candidly about her psychosis
Natasja de Hollies has released a book titled 'Toen mama verdween' detailing her sudden experience with a severe psychosis that led to her forced admission into psychiatric care. The 38-year-old mothe...
'Every day is different emotionally': Gymnast Loran de Munck (27) tries to pick up the pieces after his mother's death
Dutch gymnast Loran de Munck is navigating a difficult period following the death of his mother in January 2026 after her long battle with cancer. The 27-year-old athlete shares the emotional toll and...
Jumping rope to get people moving: ‘I want to get young people away from their screens’
42 hours after the Osdorp explosion, Patricia (45) is home again: ‘When I try to sleep, I see those people lying on the ground again’
Tatjana Almuli: 'I started knitting on my therapist's advice'
Author Tatjana Almuli discusses her mental and physical health in an interview for the magazine Mezza. She expresses pride in her body's resilience after facing the emotional and physical impacts of m...
Nanette’s zoon werd op zijn tiende verkracht: ‘Bij iedere man die ik tegenkwam, dacht ik: is dat hem?’
Annette Smit shares the personal story of her son Nathan, who was sexually abused at the age of ten, as part of the "De moeder van" series. The interview highlights the long-term emotional impact on t...
Freek in documentary: 'Doing everything I can to feel mentally and physically in top shape'
Freek from the musical duo Suzan & Freek discusses maintaining his mental and physical health despite an incurable illness in the documentary Suzan & Freek: We Vieren Het Leven. The film follows the d...