As a follow-up to the Symposium of December 2nd, 2016, Totolika organized a symposium “20 years ‘Lei di Labizjan’”.
It was held on December 2nd, 2017, at ‘Landhuis Klein Kwartier’. Although there were not many participants, the contents of the symposium were more or less what Totolika had expected.
The ‘AVBZ / Lei di Labizjan’ has been operational for 20 years; from 1997 to 2017.
This legislation was created after healthcare facilities were confronted with ever growing budget shortages to carry out better quality care. There were insufficient provisions for people with mental and physical disabilities.
Together with his advisors, the Minister of Health that time, Stanley Inderson, came up with the ‘Lei di Labizjan’. It became an insurance for difficult to insure risk groups.
Indeed, several speakers at the symposium acknowledged that there has been a great deal of progress in the Care after its implementation; Financial stability in the Care sector, Improvement of quality care, Expansion of necessary facilities.
After establishment of the swing-fund, there was a huge change. A drastic decrease in the granting of care claims, art- and aid resources ensued.
The future of the ‘AVBZ’ does not seem at all promising. The conclusions don’t lie. The panel representatives; Handicaps Rights Foundation, Fundashon Alton Paas, Fundashon Probista, Parent Association Totolika and the S.G.R. Group, came with the following conclusions:
- ‘Lei di Labizjan / AVBZ’ is a right for people with a disability according to the law.
- The ‘AVBZ’ must be removed from the swing-fund as soon as possible.
- The government contribution to the ‘AVBZ’ fund had been discontinued for a number of years and must be resumed.
- Reservation for maintenance costs, ageing, increase in care needs / expansion has been absorbed in the swing-fund to fill in shortages of other social funds and has resulted in long waiting lists in the health sector for day care, assisted living, resources or shortages of SPH-care providers, because parents and other care givers can no longer cope with the care of people with disabilities living at home.
- Personalized budget and respite-care must be reintroduced.
- The ‘AVBZ’ Act must be evaluated.
- The indication-committee must truly become independent and operate as stated by the law.
Action points:
- A meeting must be held between the Healthcare Sector and the Minister of GMN, Mrs. Suzanne Camelia-Römer as soon as possible.
- Care institutions must work together to uphold and strengthen the implementation of the ‘Lei di Labizjan’.
- The role and contents of the indication-committee must be evaluated as soon as possible.
- Care requests must be processed within a certain timeframe.
- Better guarantee of upholding the law as it should be executed.
Totolika hereby warmly thanks Mrs. Shirley Martis-Treurniet for her significant contribution, the MC, Mr. Ed Eleonora, the speakers: Mrs. Alba Martijn, Mr. Victor Monk, Mr. Henk Kamsteeg, Mrs. Dayanaris Antonia as well as the panel members and all the Symposium visitors. Last but not least, Landhuis Klein Kwartier in the person of Suzy Francisca.
Received by Totolika
Translated by Tamara Neuman