Amsterdam: Tens of thousands of people without health insurance in the Netherlands often do not receive adequate medical care when needed, the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) of the Dutch Health Ministry reported Monday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the IGJ stressed that the exact number of uninsured individuals remains unknown, but it is estimated that uninsured homeless people, migrant workers, and those without residence permits could account for around 100,000 individuals. The inspectorate highlighted that uninsured individuals are often not aware of their entitlement to essential care and are unsure of where to seek it.

The IGJ emphasized that people without health insurance should still receive medical care, but acknowledged that not all healthcare providers are aware of this or know how to bill for treating uninsured individuals. The inspectorate advises healthcare providers to ensure that all their staff, including those behind the counter, understand that uninsured individuals are also entitled to medically necessary care.