“Another bottle of champagne will be opened tonight”, that is the first reaction of Netteke Gisberts from Tilburg. This Thursday, the judge struck down Minister Kuipers’ intention to close two pediatric heart centers and center this care in Groningen and Rotterdam. Her son Lucas was born with a heart problem. After a second opinion, a pediatric cardiologist in Utrecht saved his life.
This day felt like a rollercoaster for Netteke. “You don’t know which way the penny will fall. You can only hope. It was now up to the judge and he has spoken.”
Minister Kuipers intended to close the children’s heart centers in Utrecht and Leiden/Amsterdam. Netteke: “I am in favor of good care. The minister’s measure conflicts with the freedom of choice, the right to a second opinion and the right to quality care. Hospitals simply keep each other alert when it comes to different areas of expertise.”
Pediatric cardiologist
That is why Netteke wholeheartedly supported the petition against the proposed closure of two of the four hospitals for pediatric heart surgery, including the one in Utrecht. The petition was signed almost 49,000 times.
A quick word about Lucas. He was born with an aorta whose valve was 90 percent closed. In Rotterdam he was operated on three times, without success. He was seven weeks old at the time. It didn’t look good at the time.
Mother said at the time that his funeral had already been arranged. But she did not give up and arranged a second opinion with the health insurer at the hospital in Utrecht. There, a pediatric cardiologist ultimately saved Lucas’ life.
Son blossoming
How is Lucas doing now? “Good considering the circumstances. We came from the worst scenario. We now have a son who is blossoming, goes to school, has friends and is very smart. He is doing very well. Until now he only went to school all day on Mondays But we will expand that soon.”
Netteke is happy with the ruling. “This affects so many people. You cannot see into the future. You do not know whether your child or grandchild will ever be in this position. There is no formula for this. You do not want children for whom every second counts to have to go to Groningen in an ambulance. “That is not possible with vulnerable children. I think this is a good statement for everyone.”
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Baby Lucas’ life was saved in a hospital that now has to close