A Dutch member of parliament has submitted five questions seeking clarity about an allegation that financial support for Aruba during the COVID-19 pandemic was tied to the island raising its vaccination rate.
The questions follow an earlier public claim by Horacio Oduber Hospital director Jacco Vroegop. The allegation has not been established as fact, and the Dutch government’s response is still pending.
Five questions sent to the Dutch health minister
According to NoticiaCla, FVD parliamentarian Pepijn van Houwelingen asked the Dutch health minister whether former public-health state secretary Paul Blokhuis threatened to halt financial support if Aruba’s vaccination rate did not increase.
Van Houwelingen also requested details about when the meeting described by Vroegop took place, who attended it, and whether its agenda and minutes can be provided to parliament.
MP requests communications from 2021
The parliamentarian further asked for communications between the Dutch health ministry and Aruba concerning vaccination rates during 2021.
Vroegop previously said the alleged warning occurred during an online meeting in December 2021, when Aruba was under severe financial pressure during the pandemic. ArubaNews reported that earlier allegation on September 6 while making clear that it had not been independently confirmed.
Government response could clarify disputed account
The parliamentary questions move the issue into a formal government process. Any response could clarify whether Dutch financial support was discussed in connection with Aruba’s vaccination rate and whether records of the meeting support Vroegop’s account.
Source: NoticiaCla’s report on the Dutch parliamentary questions.
