Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

"Caring for people in a healthy society" - under this motto the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport develops policy in the fields of health care, social care and sports.

Read more about the Dutch policy on several issues under 'themes' or search for the information needed.

Government to scale down coffee shops
September 11, 2009 - Coffee shops (i.e. establishments permitted to sell cannabis in line with Dutch policy on soft drugs) must be scaled down and must serve only local users. Scaling down coffee shops will make it possible to tackle the nuisance associated with them and manage crime risks more effectively.

Tackle drug use among youngsters more rigorously
July 2, 2009 – This afternoon, the chair of the Advisory Committee on Drugs Policy, Professor Wim B.H.J. van de Donk, presented his committee’s report to the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Ab Klink, Minister of Justice, Ernst Hirsch Ballin and Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Guusje ter Horst.

Health Ministry to purchase 34 million vaccines
June 18, 2009 - Health minister Ab Klink has decided to purchase 34 million doses of vaccine against New Influenza A (H1N1) (formerly known as Mexican flu). He signed contracts with manufacturers this week for the purchase of the vaccine.