Last updated on: 02 February 2026
Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland responds positively to the Dutch coalition agreement presented on Friday, January 30 by D66, VVD and CDA. In particular, the additional investments in international cooperation and the increased focus on prevention in healthcare are important steps forward. The organisation stresses that this is the moment for the government to reclaim the Netherlands’ leadership role in sexual health, both nationally and internationally.
Dutch international leadership more urgent than ever
The new government plans to invest more in international cooperation and explicitly highlights the importance of the Dutch global health strategy. This is crucial, as major funding cuts by countries such as the United States, but also the Netherlands itself under the previous Schoof I cabinet, have had devastating consequences for the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Aidsfonds has previously shown how these cuts are leading to more babies being born with HIV and has warned of millions of additional HIV infections that could occur as a result.
The organisation also points to the devastating measure announced last week by the Trump administration to halt all funding related to diversity, transgender care, and reproductive health. This decision has severe consequences for HIV prevention and treatment as well. Director Mark Vermeulen states: “The Netherlands has long played a leading role in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in defending sexual rights. That commitment is needed now more than ever. It is vital that the new government increases investment in access to care and in the rights of vulnerable groups affected by HIV/AIDS.”
Sexual health in the Netherlands: make STI care and PrEP accessible
We welcome the fact that the cabinet explicitly recognises the importance of knowledge institutes in the field of sexual and reproductive health. The organisation looks forward to working together to strengthen the government’s ambitions on prevention. “Prevention is better than cure,” says Vermeulen. “STI rates continue to rise, and the decline in new HIV infections has stalled.” Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland points out that access to the HIV prevention pill PrEP and to STI care at public health services (GGDs) remains insufficient. This hampers progress towards reducing STI transmission and achieving zero new HIV infections and will ultimately lead to higher healthcare costs. This calls for government investment in sexual health services.
Concerns about healthcare cuts and higher out-of-pocket costs
Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland is concerned about the announced cuts to healthcare, and particularly the increase in the mandatory out-of-pocket costs. Vermeulen explains: “Higher costs mean that some people are less likely to get tested for STIs by their GP. As a result, STIs are detected later, which can lead to more infections and increased pressure on sexual health services.” Proven, effective forms of preventive care, such as PrEP and low-threshold STI services, are appropriate and cost-effective. They prevent infections and avoid more expensive care later on. Restricting the basic health insurance package also makes it harder to introduce new, innovative treatments and improvements. We will continue to closely monitor what these developments mean for people living with, or at increased risk, of HIV and STIs.
Photo credit: NOS/NOS journaal
