List of ministers of health of the Netherlands

Last updated

Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands
Minister van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport
VWS.jpg
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
Flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Jan Anthonie Bruijn (2021) (cropped).jpg
since 5 September 2025
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
Style His/Her Excellency
Member of Council of Ministers
AppointerThe monarch
on advice of the prime minister
Formation15 September 1951;73 years ago (1951-09-15)
First holder Dolf Joekes
as Minister of Social Affairs and Health
Salary 205,991 (As of 2025) [1]

The minister of health, welfare and sport (Dutch : Minister van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport) is the head of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. The incumbent minister is Jan Anthonie Bruijn of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

Contents

Regularly, a state secretary is assigned to the ministry who is tasked with specific portfolios. The current state secretaries are Nicki Pouw-Verweij of the BBB and Judith Tielen of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Respectively, they have been assigned the portfolios of long-term care and social care and of youth care, preventive care, and sport. In the past, there have also been ministers without portfolio assigned to the ministry.

List of ministers of health

Social affairs and health (1951–1971)

Minister of Social
Affairs and Health
Term of officePartyCabinet
Dolf Joekes 1946 (1).jpg Dolf Joekes
(1885–1962)
15 September 1951 –
2 September 1952
Labour Party Drees I
[2]
Ko Suurhoff (1965).jpg Ko Suurhoff
(1905–1967)
2 September 1952 –
22 December 1958
Labour Party Drees IIIII
[3] [4]
Louis Beel 1958.jpg Louis Beel
(Prime Minister)
(1902–1985)
22 December 1958 –
19 May 1959
Catholic People's Party Beel II
[5]
Charles van Rooy 1960 (1).jpg Charles van Rooy
(1912–1996)
19 May 1959 –
3 July 1961
[Res]
Catholic People's Party De Quay
[6]
Victor Marijnen 1963 (1).jpg Victor Marijnen
(1917–1975)
3 July 1961 –
17 July 1961
[Ad Interim]
[Minister]
Catholic People's Party
Gerard Veldkamp 1964 (1).jpg Gerard Veldkamp
(1921–1990)
17 July 1961 –
5 April 1967
Catholic People's Party
Marijnen
[7]
Cals
[8]
Zijlstra
[9]
Tweede Kamer behandelt Structuurplan Zaanstreek , Roolvink (kop), Bestanddeelnr 926-2086.jpg Bauke Roolvink
(1912–1979)
5 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Anti-Revolutionary Party De Jong
[10]

Health and environment (1971–1982)

Minister of Health
and Environment
Term of officePartyCabinet
Louis Stuyt 1973 (1).jpg Louis Stuyt
(1914–2000)
6 July 1971 –
11 May 1973
Catholic People's Party Biesheuvel III
[11]
Vorrink, I. - SFA002019684.jpg Irene Vorrink
(1918–1996)
11 May 1973 –
19 December 1977
Labour Party Den Uyl
[12]
Leendert Ginjaar 1977 (1).jpg Leendert Ginjaar
(1928–2003)
19 December 1977 –
11 September 1981
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Van Agt I
[13]
Til Gardeniers-Berendsen 1982 (1).jpg Til Gardeniers-Berendsen
(1925–2019)
11 September 1981 –
4 November 1982
Christian Democratic Appeal Van Agt IIIII
[14] [15]

Social affairs and health (1982–1994)

Minister of Welfare,
Health and Culture
Term of officePartyCabinet
Elco Brinkman 1984 (1).jpg Elco Brinkman
(born 1948)
4 November 1982 –
7 November 1989
Christian Democratic Appeal Lubbers III
[16] [17]
Hedy d'Ancona 1986 (1).jpg Hedy d'Ancona
(born 1937)
7 November 1989 –
16 July 1994
[Res]
Labour Party Lubbers III
[18]
Jo Ritzen 1986 (1).jpg Jo Ritzen
(born 1945)
16 July 1994 –
22 August 1994
[Acting]
[Minister]
Labour Party

Health, welfare and sport (since 1994)

Minister of Health,
Welfare and Sport
Term of officePartyCabinet
Els Borst februari 2002.jpg Els Borst
(1932–2014)
[Deputy]
22 August 1994 –
22 July 2002
Democrats 66 Kok III
[19] [20]
Eduard Bomhoff 2006.jpg Eduard Bomhoff
(born 1944)
[Deputy]
22 July 2002 –
16 October 2002
[Res]
Pim Fortuyn List Balkenende I
[21]
Aart Jan de Geus 2012 (1).jpg Aart Jan de Geus
(born 1955)
16 October 2002 –
27 May 2003
[Acting] [Minister]
Christian Democratic Appeal
HHoogervorst.jpg Hans Hoogervorst
(born 1956)
27 May 2003 –
22 February 2007
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Balkenende IIIII
[22] [23]
Ab Klink Dutch politician kabinet Balkenende IV.jpg Ab Klink
(born 1958)
22 February 2007 –
14 October 2010
Christian Democratic Appeal Balkenende IV
[24]
Edith Schippers 2012 (highres).jpg Edith Schippers
(born 1964)
14 October 2010 –
26 October 2017
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy Rutte III
[25] [26]
Hugo de Jonge, 2019.png Hugo de Jonge
(born 1977)
[Deputy]
26 October 2017 –
10 January 2022
Christian Democratic Appeal Rutte III
[27]
220107Ernst Kuipers34 (cropped).jpg Ernst Kuipers
(born 1959)
10 January 2022 –
10 January 2024
[Res]
Democrats 66 Rutte IV
[28]
Conny Helder, Opening Week van de medezeggenschap 2022 01 (cropped).png Conny Helder
(born 1958)
10 January 2024 –
2 July 2024
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Fleur Agema, February 2025.jpg Fleur Agema
(born 1976)
2 July 2024 –
3 June 2025 [Res]
Party for Freedom Schoof [29]
Eddy van Hijum, 2020.jpg Eddy van Hijum
(born 1972)
3 June 2025 –
19 June 2025
New Social Contract
Netherlands politic personality icon.svg Daniëlle Jansen
(born 1970)
19 June 2025 –
22 August 2025
New Social Contract
Netherlands politic personality icon.svg Robert Tieman 22 August 2025 –
5 September 2025
[Acting]
Farmer–Citizen Movement
Jan Anthonie Bruijn (2021) (cropped).jpg Jan Anthonie Bruijn 5 September 2025 –
Incumbent
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Resigned
Acting
Ad Interim
Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister from 1998 until 2002
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
Minister of Education and Sciences
Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
Resigned following election to the European Parliament

List of ministers without portfolio

Ministers without PortfolioPortfolioTerm of officePartyCabinet
Rouvoet Dutch politician kabinet Balkenende IV.jpg André Rouvoet
(born 1962)
[Deputy]
Youth care
Family policy
22 February 2007 –
14 October 2010
(Minister of Education,
Culture and Science in 2010)
Christian Union Balkenende IV
[24]
Bruno Bruins, 2018.jpg Bruno Bruins
(born 1963)
Primary healthcare
Medical ethics
Pharmaceutical policy
Sport
Corona management
(Bruins only)
26 October 2017 –
19 March 2020
(Resigned)
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Rutte III
[27]
Martin van Rijn 2015 (1).jpg Martin van Rijn
(born 1956)
[30]
23 March 2020 –
9 July 2020
Independent
(Labour Party)
[31]
Tamara van Ark 2018 (1).jpg Tamara van Ark
(born 1974)
9 July 2020 –
3 September 2021
(Resigned)
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Conny Helder, Opening Week van de medezeggenschap 2022 01 (cropped).png Conny Helder
(born 1958)
Primary Healthcare
Long-term care
Sport
10 January 2022 –
10 January 2024
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Rutte IV
[28]
Pia-Dijkstra (cropped).jpg Pia Dijkstra
(born 1954)
Primary healthcare
Medical ethics
Health insurance
Pharmaceutical policy
Corona management
2 February 2024 –
2 July 2024
Democrats 66

List of state secretaries for health

State Secretary for
Social Affairs
Portfolio(s)Term of officePartyCabinet
Muntendam, prof. - SFA008007339.jpg Piet Muntendam
(1901–1986)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Disability policy
1 April 1950 –
15 September 1951
Labour Party Drees–Van Schaik
[32] [2]
Aart van Rhijn (1940-1945).jpg Aat van Rhijn
(1892–1986)
• Social security
• Unemployment
Occupational
safety

• Social services
15 February 1950 –
15 September 1951
Labour Party
State Secretary for Social
Affairs and Health
Portfolio(s)Term of officePartyCabinet
Muntendam, prof. - SFA008007339.jpg Piet Muntendam
(1901–1986)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Disability policy
15 September 1951 –
1 October 1953
[Res]
Labour Party Drees III
[2] [3]
Aart van Rhijn (1940-1945).jpg Aat van Rhijn
(1892–1986)
• Social security
• Unemployment
Occupational
safety

• Social services
15 September 1951 –
22 December 1958
Labour Party Drees IIIIII
[2] [3] [4]
Bauke Roolvink 1968 (2).jpg Bauke Roolvink
(1912–1979)
• Social security
• Unemployment
Occupational
safety

• Social services
15 June 1959 –
24 July 1963
Anti-Revolutionary Party De Quay
[6]
Louis Bartels 1965 (1).jpg Louis Bartels
(1915–2002)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
3 September 1963 –
5 April 1967
Catholic People's Party Marijnen
[7]
Cals
[8]
Zijlstra
[9]
Jose de Meijer 1965 (1).jpg José de Meijer
(1915–2000)
Occupational
safety

Public
organisations
15 November 1963 –
5 April 1967
Catholic People's Party Marijnen
[7]
Cals
[8]
Zijlstra
[9]
Roelof Kruisinga 1973 (1).jpg Roelof Kruisinga
(1922–2012)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
18 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian Historical Union De Jong
[10]
State Secretary for Health
and Environment
PortfolioTerm of officePartyCabinet
Jo Hendriks (1966).jpg Jo Hendriks
(1923–2001)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Disability policy
11 May 1973 –
19 December 1977
Catholic People's Party Den Uyl
[12]
Els Veder-Smit 1978 (1).jpg Els Veder-Smit
(1921–2020)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
Food policy
3 January 1978 –
11 September 1981
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Van Agt I
[13]
De nieuwe staatssecretaris van Volksgezondheid en Milieuhygiene, Ineke Lambers-H, Bestanddeelnr 931-6873.jpg Ineke Lambers-Hacquebard
(1946–2014)
Environmental
policy

Food policy
11 September 1981 –
4 November 1982
Democrats 66 Van Agt IIIII
[14] [15]
State Secretary for Welfare,
Health and Culture
Portfolio(s)Term of officePartyCabinet
Joop van der Reijden 1983 (1).jpg Joop van der Reijden
(1927–2006)
Primary
healthcare

• Social services
Elderly care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
5 November 1982 –
14 July 1986
Christian Democratic Appeal Lubbers I
[16]
Dick Dees 1988 (1).jpg Dick Dees
(born 1944)
Primary
healthcare

• Social services
14 July 1986 –
7 November 1989
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Lubbers II
[17]
Netherlands politic personality icon.svg Hans Simons
(1947–2019)
Primary
healthcare

Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
7 November 1989 –
26 February 1994
[Res]
Labour Party Lubbers III
[18]
State Secretary for Health,
Welfare and Sport
Portfolio(s)Term of officePartyCabinet
Erica Terpstra (cropped).jpg Erica Terpstra
(born 1943)
• Social services
Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
Minorities
Food policy
• Recreation
Sport
22 August 1994 –
28 June 1998
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Kok I
[19]
Margot Vliegenthart 1987 (1).jpg Margo Vliegenthart
(born 1958)
Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
Pharmaceutical
policy

Sport
3 August 1998 –
22 July 2002
Labour Party Kok II
[20]
Clemence Ross-Van Dorp (2021)-c.png Clémence Ross-van Dorp
(born 1957)
Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
Sport
22 July 2002 –
22 February 2007
Christian Democratic Appeal Balkenende I
IIIII
[21] [22] [23]
Bussemaker Dutch politician kabinet Balkenende IV.jpg Jet Bussemaker
(born 1961)
Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
Sport
22 February 2007 –
23 February 2010
[Res]
Labour Party Balkenende IV
[24]
Marlies-veldhuijzen-van-zanten-hyllner-potret.jpg Marlies Veldhuijzen van Zanten
(born 1953)
Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
Pharmaceutical
policy
14 October 2010 –
5 November 2012
Christian Democratic Appeal Rutte I
[25]
Martin van Rijn 2015 (1).jpg Martin van Rijn
(born 1956)
Elderly care
Youth care
Disability policy
Medical ethics
Pharmaceutical
policy
5 November 2012 –
26 October 2017
Labour Party Rutte II
[26]
Staatssecretaris Paul Blokhuis.jpg Paul Blokhuis
(born 1963)
Social services
Disability policy
26 October 2017 –
10 January 2022
Christian Union Rutte III
[27]
Maarten van Ooijen, 2019 01 (cropped).jpg Maarten van Ooijen
(born 1990)
Youth care
Preventive care
10 January 2022 –
2 July 2024
Christian Union Rutte IV
[28]
Vicky Maeijer.jpg Vicky Maeijer
(born 1986)
Long-term care
Social care
2 July 2024 –
3 June 2025
Party for Freedom Schoof
[29]
Nicki Pouw-Verweij.jpg Nicki Pouw-Verweij
(born 1991)
19 June 2025 –
Incumbent
Farmer–Citizen Movement
Vincent Karremans, March 2025.jpg Vincent Karremans
(born 1986)
Youth care
Preventive care
Sport
2 July 2024 –
18 June 2025
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Judith Tielen.jpg Judith Tielen 19 June 2025 –
Incumbent
People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Resigned

References

  1. "Salaris minister, staatssecretaris en bestuurders provincies en gemeenten". Rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Kabinet-Drees I". DreesI. Rijksoverheid.
  3. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Drees II". DreesII. Rijksoverheid.
  4. 1 2 "Kabinet-Drees III". DreesIII. Rijksoverheid.
  5. "Kabinet-Beel II". BeelII. Rijksoverheid.
  6. 1 2 "Kabinet-De Quay". DeQuay. Rijksoverheid.
  7. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Marijnen". Marijnen. Rijksoverheid.
  8. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Cals". Cals. Rijksoverheid.
  9. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Zijlstra". Zijlstra. Rijksoverheid.
  10. 1 2 "Kabinet-De Jong". De Jong. Rijksoverheid.
  11. "Kabinet-Biesheuvel". Biesheuvel. Rijksoverheid.
  12. 1 2 "Kabinet-Den Uyl". DenUyl. Rijksoverheid.
  13. 1 2 "Kabinet-Van Agt I". VanAgtI. Rijksoverheid.
  14. 1 2 "Kabinet-Van Agt II". VanAgtII. Rijksoverheid.
  15. 1 2 "Kabinet-Van Agt III". VanAgtIII. Rijksoverheid.
  16. 1 2 "Kabinet-Lubbers I". LubbersI. Rijksoverheid.
  17. 1 2 "Kabinet-Lubbers II". LubbersII. Rijksoverheid.
  18. 1 2 "Kabinet-Lubbers III". LubbersIII. Rijksoverheid.
  19. 1 2 "Kabinet-Kok I". KokI. Rijksoverheid.
  20. 1 2 "Kabinet-Kok II". KokII. Rijksoverheid.
  21. 1 2 "Kabinet-Balkenende I". BalkenendeI. Rijksoverheid.
  22. 1 2 "Kabinet-Balkenende II". BalkenendeII. Rijksoverheid.
  23. 1 2 "Kabinet-Balkenende III". BalkenendeIII. Rijksoverheid.
  24. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Balkenende IV". BalkenendeIV. Rijksoverheid.
  25. 1 2 "Kabinet-Rutte-Verhagen". RutteI. Rijksoverheid.
  26. 1 2 "Kabinet-Rutte-Asscher". RutteII. Rijksoverheid.
  27. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Rutte III". RutteIII. Rijksoverheid.
  28. 1 2 3 "Kabinet-Rutte IV". RutteIV. Rijksoverheid.
  29. 1 2 "Kabinet-Schoof". Schoof. Rijksoverheid.
  30. "PvdA'er Martin van Rijn nieuwe minister voor Medische Zorg" (in Dutch). NOS. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  31. Officially a member of the Labour Party but serves as a de facto Independent in a technocratic capacity.
  32. "Kabinet-Drees-Van Schaik". DreesVanSchaik. Rijksoverheid.