Brussels — July 7, 2025: Doctors across Belgium walked off the job on Monday in protest against sweeping healthcare reforms proposed by Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), triggering disruption in medical services nationwide, though Brussels saw minimal interruptions.
The strike, led by the Belgian Association of Medical Unions (ABSyM-BVAS), began at 8:00 and is set to continue until 18:00.
The protest comes in response to a package of draft reforms introduced in June, which include significant changes to the way medical professionals contract with health insurers, tighter regulations on additional medical fees, and a reformed process for suspending medical license numbers.
Also at stake is the role of the National Institute for Health Insurance (INAMI) in financing and regulating the sector. ABSyM President Patrick Emonts said the reforms are “a direct threat to doctors’ autonomy” and would “inevitably pressure hospitals, compromise patient care, and increase waiting times.”
The union argues that the government’s push to regulate additional medical fees and limit discretionary charges could damage already financially strained hospitals.
Limited Disruption in Brussels
Despite the national scale of the action, the capital’s hospitals reported limited impact. UZ Brussel confirmed that fewer than 5% of its doctors participated in the strike, while the Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B) network stated that under 10% of its staff had joined the walkout.
Emergency services and most scheduled care at CHU Saint-Pierre and CHU Brugmann continued as normal. At CHU Brugmann, a symbolic protest took place at 9:00 outside the hospital entrance, where doctors wore armbands and held banners.
H.U.B. spokesperson Louis Dijon explained the hospital’s approach: “They are doing this so as not to interrupt or postpone appointments, but also to emphasise the need to continue dialogue and avoid a strike, which remains a last resort.”
Even those not officially striking expressed solidarity through symbolic actions, such as displaying protest signs and wearing symbolic attire to work.
Regional Differences in Participation
The response across the country varied significantly. In West Flanders, AZ Delta reported nearly half of its doctors participated in the strike, leading to the cancellation of numerous consultations. In contrast, at UZ Gent, doctors chose to show support symbolically while ensuring continuity of care.
Outside of Brussels, rural and smaller hospitals appeared more affected by the action, with reports of longer wait times and cancelled outpatient services. However, emergency care remained guaranteed across all facilities, per Belgian healthcare law.
Funding Concerns at the Heart of the Dispute
Among the most controversial aspects of the proposed reform is the attempt to regulate “supplementary fees”—additional charges that specialists and hospitals can impose above the standard insurance tariff. Vandenbroucke’s proposal aims to curb excessive fees to make healthcare more accessible.
But critics warn the policy could reduce essential hospital income. “At the H.U.B., more than 8 out of 10 patients receive care without any additional fees,” said Dijon. “Reforming the fee model without providing alternatives would lead to financial losses. No one will be well if hospitals are weakened.”
A recent report revealed that 80% of Belgian hospitals are already operating at a deficit, adding to concern about the timing and structure of the reforms. ABSyM maintains that without increased public funding or an overhaul of financial models, limiting additional fees will do more harm than good.
Divided Opinions Among Healthcare Stakeholders
While ABSyM has garnered substantial support from its members, other healthcare organisations have adopted a more cautious stance. Domus Medica, the professional association for general practitioners, opted not to participate in the strike. Instead, it called for continued negotiations with the health ministry.
“We understand the concerns, but walking away from the table doesn’t help,” said a Domus Medica spokesperson. The group confirmed it would attend all scheduled talks with INAMI and the ministry.
On the other hand, the Federation of Medical Centres publicly opposed the strike, calling the proposed legislation “a necessary first step toward fair and inclusive healthcare.” In a statement, the federation said the reforms would “help reduce disparities in care access and align Belgium’s system with modern medical ethics.”
Government Response and Ongoing Negotiations
In response to the outcry, Minister Vandenbroucke convened an emergency meeting last Thursday with INAMI, mutual health insurers, and representatives of medical unions. According to Domus Medica, eight revisions were made to the initial draft, and it was reaffirmed that all measures remain open to discussion.
Nevertheless, ABSyM President Emonts said the amendments were insufficient: “A quick read shows that even if the amended text meets some of the demands made by the medical unions, they remain insufficient overall and difficult to implement in practice.”
A follow-up meeting between the unions and the minister is scheduled for Friday, raising hopes that a compromise can still be reached before additional strikes are planned.
Minister Vandenbroucke’s cabinet has not yet issued a formal statement in response to Monday’s strike. When contacted for comment by The Brussels Times, the minister’s office declined to respond before publication.
Looking Ahead
As negotiations resume, Belgium’s healthcare system remains at a crossroads. The reforms, which are intended to curb healthcare costs and expand access, have opened a deep rift between policymakers and practitioners. Striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and medical autonomy will be critical.
For now, the symbolic protests and partial walkouts send a clear message: doctors want reform, but not at the cost of professional independence or patient care. Whether the government will accommodate these concerns remains to be seen.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
