Parliamentarians want large-scale study into ongoing excess mortality rates

Many members of the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch Parliament, want a large-scale cohesive study to be carried out into the causes of excess mortality in the Netherlands since 2020. More people have died than expected for four years in a row. A motion from the NSC has been supported in advance by the PVV, BBB, SGP, and SP.

Outgoing Medical Care Minister Pia Dijkstra advised against the motion because she wants to await the results of an investigation into excess mortality from 2020 and 2021, which are expected in the summer.

NSC MP Agnes Joseph said that 14,000 people have died more than expected yearly for the last four years. Initially, Covid-19 seemed to be the leading cause of excess mortality, but the problem persisted following the pandemic. "There is obviously more going on. This signals deeper problems in public health. We cannot let this go unnoticed. We need a thorough investigation," Joseph said in the Parliamentary debate.

NSC wants to know what the causes are for the excess mortality when the researchers look beyond the coronavirus as the cause of death. The party wants an investigation into delayed healthcare, as many people did not go to the hospital or their general practitioner during the coronavirus pandemic and went later. Joseph also wants to look at the influence of the changing composition of the population, as well as the quality of food, water, and air. The research must also include the years 2022 and 2023, in Joseph's opinion.

Dijkstra agreed with the Tweede Kamer that it is essential to know what is causing the excess mortality, including the unexpected deaths during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. "We can learn from this in case of another pandemic." Twenty research studies on excess mortality are being carried out regarding those two years, and they will all be finalized around the summer. She wants to wait for those results.

The minister wants to wait to start a new, broad, cohesive study. Not only to avoid delays but also because she expects the current investigations to provide starting points for possible follow-up research. However, she wants the independent supervisory committee to advise her on a follow-up investigation. This committee is supervising the current investigations.

NSC and the parties favoring a broad study do not want to wait for it to happen. Together, they have 72 seats in the lower house, where a majority of 76 is needed to push the Cabinet in a different direction. The motion will be voted on on February 27.