WRITTEN QUESTION E-2409/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (11 September 1996)

Subject: The public health situation in the Netherlands Antilles

Has the Commission received reports that nine kidney patients and four infants died shortly after one another in a Curaçao hospital in the Netherlands Antilles?

Is the Commission aware that the deaths of the nine kidney patients can probably be ascribed to the lack of an efficient water supply in the hospital concerned?

How much money has the Commission allocated since 1990 to the development of the Netherlands Antilles, and on what projects was the money spent?

Is the Commission prepared, together with the Antilles Government, to ascertain whether a greater share of the European Development Fund resources earmarked for the Antilles might be used, where necessary, for public health projects, partly in order to bring supplies in Antilles hospitals up to the required standard?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (8 November 1996)

The Commission is aware of the events to which the Honourable Member refers. According to the information available, a distinction has to be drawn in this unfortunate occurrence between the kidney patients and the neonates. The kidney patients who died in Curaçao were in a private clinic and their death was due to the use of water with an excessive aluminium content. The deaths could have been prevented if, as is the case in Europe, the water had been correctly filtered before being used for dialysis. However, the death of the four premature babies was not due to the quality of the water. Dutch experts who conducted an inquiry into the circumstances ascribe three of these deaths to the neonates having ingested special food for premature infants which, as it turned out, was contaminated.

It is incorrect to say that the water supply to the Curaçao hospital is inefficient. For some years this hospital has been connected up to the water supply system managed by two parastatal bodies, the KAE, which is responsible for water production, and Kolea, which is responsible for distribution. But it is agreed that the aluminium content of the water is excessive. Similarly, Curaçao has problems regarding the 'drinkability' of the water that is distributed.

Since 1990 the Netherlands Antilles have received no less than ECU 33 million from the various instruments drawn on by the Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB), some in the form of grants (ECU 23 million), some in loans (ECU 9.5 million) and some in emergency aid (ECU 0.5 million). In addition it should be pointed out that the KAE has received a loan of ECU 8.7 million from the EIB.

By custom, health in the Netherlands Antilles is a sector in which the islands, the Netherlands and the Pan American health organisation cooperate. As with the Lomé Convention, the Decision governing the association between the Community and the Overseas Countries and Territories specifically states that it is for countries wishing to receive aid to take the initiative by presenting projects and programmes. So far the Netherlands Antilles have not asked the Commission for any aid for the health sector. Cooperation in this sector in the future, in close coordination with the other partners involved, is entirely possible if the Government wishes.