News item | 04-09-2025 | 12:20
Today Cathalijne Dortmans was presented as a Q fever ambassador. That happened on the Q fever symposium in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. With the appointment of a Q fever ambassador, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) follows the National Ombudsman’s recommendation to contribute to the improvement of the situation of people who live with the permanent consequences of a Q fever infection. Cathalijne Dortmans fulfills the position for a year.
Assignment Q fever ambassador
The Q fever ambassador is instructed to improve the situation of people with Q fever fatigue syndrome (QVS) and chronic Q fever (CQK) in the Netherlands. With this appointment, the approach of Q fever gets a face for patients. Cathalijne Dortmans gets to work on four themes: the Q fever patient, access to and strengthening facilities, exploring improved care and guaranteeing knowledge and expertise. She works closely with existing parties such as the Q-Support Foundation, Patient Organization Q-Uestion, the province of Noord-Brabant and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).
Long -standing record
Cathalijne Dortmans has a long track record within the government and the House of Representatives. From 2018-2024 she was alderman of Helmond with in her portfolio youth, education, health and integration, member of the board of the VNG and chairman of GGD Brabant-Zuidoost. For this she held various positions at the Ministries of Finance, General Affairs and VWS, the House of Representatives and the province of Noord-Brabant. She was also a member of the Advisory Committee on Progress Recovery Operation Surcharges.
Recognition and recognition of Q fever patients
In addition to the appointment of a Q fever ambassador, VWS continues to work for the recognition and recognition of Q fever patients. VWS has agreed with, among others, the Q-Support Foundation that they will focus more on training professionals, such as general practitioners, UWV doctors and municipal staff. In addition, it is expected that the results of research programs for post-Covid and ME/CFS funded by VWS will also benefit knowledge about Q fever. This also applies to the knowledge that is now gained in the Post-Covid Expertise Centers.