Netherlands: Medical news

A few stories regarding medical issues that appeared recently in the news

Utrecht: Illegal dentists in cafes

Iranian and Syrian dentists are working illegally in Moroccan and Turkish cafes in Utrecht helping out uninsured immigrants and illegals for cheap. According to RTV, a TV broadcaster, many patients use the services of these dentists since they don't want to use regular dentists for various reasons. The hygiene in such places is usually very bad and often patients need medical care after being "helped" by the dentist.
The medical inspection services are assuming such practices are common in other cities and are calling on patients to report in. The inspection services can only start inspecting after receiving complaints.

Source: Elsevier (Dutch)

Vitamin D deficiency by immigrants
Half of the non-western immigrants in the Netherlands have a vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency appears by men and women. By ethnic Dutch, only 5.9% have such a vitamin D deficiency. The assumption is that immigrants have an unusual feeding pattern.
Former studies have focused on women, and have come to the conclusion that it is the immigrants' clothing habits that cause the deficiency.
Source: Telegraaf (Dutch)


Preparations for Hajj
Regional medical services are calling on Muslims to prepare themselves for Hajj and inoculate themselves. Hajj is scheduled for December and January this year. The chances are higher of contracting contagious diseases during that time, since it is a meeting place for people from all over the world.
Source: Trouw (Dutch)

No comments: