After weeks of political tension, two new Masters in General Medicine will be established – one at the University of Namur and the other in Mons. Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, discussed this issue on LN Matin. He emphasized that this was a compromise aimed at addressing the quality of teaching, the quality of medicine and the problem of shortages of doctors in some regions. Jeholet also noted that the 57 clearances requested have been granted, but without additional funding for Mons and the possibility of establishing a university hospital. He reiterated that this issue was an important element and that they are planning a reform of authorizations.
There were no winners or losers in the political clash between the MR and the PS. A positive outcome was achieved as the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation was almost at risk. According to Jeholet, this situation showed how they overcame their differences and divergences to reach compromise for the benefit of French speakers. This was evident from their previous necessary reforms, such as those related to the quality of education and additional funding for higher education and the creation of places in nurseries.
After weeks of political tension, there will be two new Masters in General Medicine, one at the University of Namur and the other in Mons. Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, was the guest of LN Matin. In particular, he addressed this mini-crisis.
“Above all, it’s a compromise,” stresses Pierre-Yves Jeholet. “We wanted to generalize this debate, because it is important: the quality of our teaching, the quality of medicine and the problem of the shortage [ndlr : de médecins] that we can have in certain regions. It is a good compromise because the 57 clearances requested have been granted. But as far as the authorization of Mons is concerned, it is without additional funding. It is obviously without the possibility of having a university hospital. It is an important element. And we see a reform of authorizations.”
For the Minister-President, there is no winner or loser in this political clash which opposed the MR to the PS. A top exit was found, at a time when the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation was in danger. “The government almost fell but, as since the beginning of the legislature, we have had difficult debates and each time we have overcome our divergences and our differences to reach compromises for the benefit of French speakers. We have had necessary reforms in relation to the quality of education, in relation to additional funding for higher education, the revision of the landscape decree, the creation of places in nurseries.”
In a political climate where compromise seems rare, the agreement reached regarding the authorization of two new Masters in General Medicine in Belgium is a welcome development. Though there are still concerns regarding funding and access to university hospitals, the fact that 57 clearances were granted and a resolution was found between opposing parties is a positive step forward. As Minister-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet noted, this debate highlighted the importance of quality education and addressing shortages in medical professionals. Ultimately, the compromise reached will benefit French speakers and contribute to the betterment of healthcare in the region.