To spend the anniversary gift from the NRC Readers Fund, Kruispost asked for two modular stainless steel dressing trolleys with accessories. Field hospital on the front lines of society.
Kruispost Foundation originated in 1984 within the Oudezijds 100 community. At this address, eighty volunteers provide assistance to the uninsured: all shades between homeless, undocumented and sometimes casual passersby. In addition to help with medical problems, their group of patients especially needs psychosocial care. For this reason, there is intensive cooperation with the social workers of Oudezijds 100. Among other things, patients can come here for advice, mediation to regular healthcare, debt relief and orientation to their status. The lines of transfer are short, which is essential for the progress of medical treatment, as this target group appears to be less therapy compliant. Help is provided similar to that within a general practice; there is no need to consider a time limit for a consultation. In addition to providing regular medical care, it is possible to offer specialist care to a limited extent at Kruispost, such as the support of a surgeon. A lawyer, dentist and psychomotor therapist also work there. The patients who are helped at Kruispost also know all too well what adversity is like, and all have to cope through all kinds of weather. Just a little help can make a world of difference.
Kruispost also made a strong case in 2018 for helping that group of patients who cannot find help in mainstream care: vulnerable people, those who have fled their own countries for humanitarian or economic reasons. Gaps in Dutch legislation can create strange situations and problems. The foundation was confronted with a large number of Europeans who came seeking help. Undocumented migrants have no right to stay here and are therefore not allowed insurance; however, there is a safety net for them that allows them to use and pay for basic care. Europeans, on the other hand, are legally in The Netherlands and therefore required to have insurance. This means that European guest workers are therefore not allowed to use the aforementioned safety net, a great injustice. Indeed, in certain European countries, such as Poland, although national health insurance exists, it does not cover healthcare abroad. Thus, insured Europeans here sometimes appear not to be entitled to free healthcare after all. There is now a European fund for this, but it is not (yet) running smoothly.
In short: challenges galore, complex laws and regulations, hopeless turmoil worldwide, a steady increase in patients and help seekers.
Kruispost is on the front lines of social problems in Amsterdam. Right through it all and for more than 35 years, Kruispost has managed to hold its ground there, thanks to the selflessness of many doctors, receptionists and other volunteers, not to mention all the support of donors. The NRC Readers’ Fund is one of them.
Sarineke Klok, medical coordinator of Kruispost, formulates the mission of Kruispost as follows: “Kruispost is as Pope Francis thought the church should be: a field hospital on the front lines of society.”
Marie-Louise Tiesinga, president NRC Readers’ Fund
Source: https://www.nrclezersfonds.nl/kruispost -2019/
