1.
GV TOWN OF VALKENBURG WITH SIGN IN BACKGROUND
0.04

2.
GV BUILDING WITH DOCTOR'S CARS IN FOREGROUND
0.08

3.
LV DOCTORS ENTERING BUILDING
0.17

4.
SV INT.. WOMAN DOCTOR TALKS TO TWO COLLEAGUES
0.22

5.
LV PAN.. OVER DOCTORS DURING TALKS
0.32

6.
CU NEWSPAPER HEADLINE REFERS TO DOCTOR'S STRIKE
0.38

7.
GV DOCTORS CONVERSING
0.42

8.
TV PAN.. DITTO
0.52



Initials AA/V/AW/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN THE SOUTHERN DUTCH TOWN OF VALKENBURG SOME OF BELGIUM'S 12,000 STRIKING DOCTORS HAVE EXILED THEMSELVES AND GET UP A HEADQUARTERS. THOUSANDS MORE HAVE ALSO CROSSED INTO FRANCE, LUXEMBOURG AND GERMANY, WHERE THEY ARE AWAITING FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISPUTE WHICH CENTRES ON A BELGIAN GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE LAW.

THE STRIKE IS NOW IN ITS SIXTH DAY. IT WAS CALLED WHEN THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT PUSHED AHEAD WITH A PLAN WHICH PROVIDES FOR A FIXED SCALE OF FEES FOR ALL MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND WOULD ALSO GRANT FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT TO ALL CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS. THE DOCTORS SAY THE GOVERNMENT PLAN WILL CURTAIL THEIR FREEDOM, ABOLISH PROFESSIONAL SECRECY, AND IMPEDE THE STANDARDS OF MEDICAL TREATMENT. THEY SAY THEY WILL ONLY RETURN TO WORK IF THE NEW HEALTH LAW IS SUSPENDED AND REPLACED BY ONE THAT MEETS THEIR DEMANDS.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE STRIKE, AND THE TRADE UNIONS ARE CALLING FOR FURTHER MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS. THE POLICE POSTS BETWEEN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM HAVE HAD TO BE REINFORCED TO PREVENT ANTI-DOCTOR DEMONSTRATORS CROSSING INTO VALKENBURG.

THE DOCTORS ARE RUNNING AN EMERGENCY SERVICE ON A SKELETON STAFF, BUT ALREADY ALL THE HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY ARE FILLED TO CAPACITY.

TODAY (MONDAY) TWO DOCTORS, WHO WERE IN CHARGE OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICE IN NORTH BELGIUM, WERE PLACED UNDER PROVISIONAL ARREST FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A 15 MONTH OLD BABY IN HERENTALS YESTERDAY. THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT IS INVESTIGATING THE DEATH ON THE BASIS OF REPORTS THAT THERE WAS A DELAY IN OBTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE CHILD.

THE CHILD'S USUAL DOCTOR WAS ON STRIKE AND SO THE EMERGENCY SERVICE WAS CALLED. THE TWO DOCTORS ARRIVED AND TOOK THE BABY TO THE CLINIC BUT HE DIED LATER.