Martine Deprez, Luxembourg’s Minister of Health and Social Security;
Credit: © SIP / Claude Piscitelli
Following the legislative elections of 8 October 2023 and several weeks of coalition talks, the new CSV-DP coalition government of Luxembourg was sworn in on 17 November 2023.
Chronicle.lu reached out to the new members of the Luxembourg government to learn about their priorities one month on, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing their particular sector(s) - and how they will spend the end-of-year holiday period.
First up was Martine Deprez, Luxembourg’s Minister of Health and Social Security.
Chronicle.lu: The new government was sworn in on 17 November 2023. One month on, what are your top three / main priorities as Luxembourg’s Minister of Health and Social Security?
Minister Martine Deprez: After an initial assessment, in-depth discussions and constructive exchanges with the various committees of the Chamber of Deputies concerning the coalition agreement, it is now time to meet the actors and partners on the ground to listen to them attentively and to define the main priorities together.
Regarding health, our top priority is to guarantee equitable access to care for all, while encouraging an innovative collaborative approach that places the patient at the heart of their health journey as a true partner.
Regarding social security, our main objective will be to focus on financing, particularly regarding pensions. It is now essential to raise awareness among the general public and stakeholders of the need to review and strengthen the financing system.
Chronicle.lu: How does this ministerial role compare to / differ from your previous position(s)? In what way(s) do you feel your previous position(s) and experience can contribute to / be of use in your new government role(s)?
Minister Martine Deprez: After spending 20 years in the teaching field, I have acquired extensive experience and developed strong interpersonal skills. As a State Councillor since 2012 and formerly in charge of studies at the General Inspectorate of Social Security (IGSS) from 1992 to 2001, I have acquired a deep knowledge of the dossiers entrusted to me. This experience allowed me to familiarise myself with ministerial issues and to best prepare myself for my current role.
As a mathematics teacher, I have always been passionate about my vocation and devoted to my students. Today, a new opportunity presents itself to me, that of putting my knowledge to good use and, hopefully, contributing to the well-being of our country as a whole.
Chronicle.lu: What do you see as the (three) biggest challenges currently facing Luxembourg's health (and social security) sector, which came under significant pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how does your ministry plan to overcome / address them, particularly in the coming months? How will you measure the success of these initiatives (e.g. metrics)?
Minister Martine Deprez: The major challenge is to guarantee effective responsiveness of the system, being able to act quickly and proactively on the ground. We succeeded in managing the legislative procedure in an exemplary manner, which will serve as good practice for the future. On the horizon, it will be essential to integrate technological advances in order to promote optimal responsiveness in the field.
The COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the crucial importance of prevention in public health. The so-called most vulnerable populations are often the most affected by health crises, due to their higher exposure to diseases. This is why it is essential to evaluate and then better target our prevention programmes, in order to guarantee public health that is beneficial for all.
Regarding social security, the main challenge lies in sustainable financing, depending on available public resources. To bring about change in public health, we depend on social security financing. This is where the link with prevention becomes crucial. By implementing effective prevention in the country, we can avoid unnecessary expenses and contribute to the financial balance of the country.
Chronicle.lu: What are the (three) biggest opportunities for Luxembourg in relation to ("future-proofing") health and social security and how will your ministry leverage these opportunities, particularly in the coming months?
Minister Martine Deprez: One of the biggest opportunities for Luxembourg regarding health and social security is our central organisation as a small country. We are fortunate to have a very detailed overview of what is available in the country. Thanks to centralised data, we can analyse the situation in the country in depth.
As an [EU] member state, Luxembourg benefits from open borders. With European free movement for the job market, we have a well-established system on which we can rely to continue to develop our network of healthcare professionals.
In addition, we maintain constant and in-depth exchanges with other countries, which allows us to learn from each other and benefit from lessons learned and shared experiences.
Chronicle.lu: Moving away from politics, what are some traditions or activities (if any) you (will) enjoy during the end-of-year (Christmas and New Year) holiday period? Any New Year's plans or resolutions you could share with our readers - or another message as 2023 draws to a close?
Minister Martine Deprez: During the end-of-year holiday season, I particularly appreciate family traditions and activities that strengthen bonds between loved ones. We like to get together over festive Christmas meals and sparkling decorations. Family walks and board games are also an integral part of our programme, without forgetting Midnight Mass, an important tradition for us.
As Minister of Health and Social Security, my resolutions for the new year are predictable. My priority is to stay healthy and encourage others to take care of themselves by following the recommendations of experts, expressed through prevention programmes. I wish you all happiness, health and prosperity for the year to come. May the year 2024=23*11*23 [nod to mathematics, breaking down 2024 into the product of prime factors] be crowned with success in our mission to guarantee equitable access to quality healthcare for everyone!
