Dutch Medical Trainee Faces Patient Refusals Over Moroccan Background
Ahlam, 19, is training to become a medical assistant in the Netherlands. In front of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, she said some patients refused to receive care from her. Her account echoes those of other students facing discrimination while looking for internships or in their daily lives.
In Leiden on Thursday, 5 November, fourteen young people met with the Dutch prime minister to discuss racism and discrimination. Among them was Ahlam, a student at the mboRijnland training centre, who recounted her experiences at a medical practice. Some patients refuse her help, and she also receives remarks about wearing a headscarf, the institution said in a statement.
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“I feel belittled,” said the young woman, who struggles to understand how such situations persist in a country committed to freedom and equality. In an interview broadcast on 9 November by Centraal+, teacher Merve Kiliç explained that a patient had refused to be treated by a trainee medical assistant because of her Moroccan background.
29 applications, then a Dutch name changed everything
Another student, 26-year-old Nazir, recounted his search for a social work internship. After sending 29 applications, he had received no interview invitations, while his Dutch classmates quickly found placements.
For his 30th attempt, he decided to sign his letter with a Dutch name. This time, he immediately got an interview. He described the experience as shocking. His account echoes that of Moustafa Makhlouf, a Moroccan man who sent 300 job applications without securing work in the Netherlands.
Yasmina, 20, a student in medical and social care, also spoke. She pointed out that these young people are training to work in the Netherlands and help the population. In her view, their backgrounds and cultural differences should never call their place in society into question.
Rob Jetten also spoke about the bullying he endured during his school years and the death threats he receives today. Asked how to combat discrimination, the students favoured awareness-raising and education over sanctions alone.
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The mboRijnland institution is now preparing to launch “StageHeld,” a training module for professionals who supervise internships. The aim is to teach them to recognise discriminatory situations, discuss them with students and better support young people facing such practices.
