Following the suspension of orthopaedic surgeon Philippe Wilmes over controversial knee procedures, Health Minister Martine Deprez has rejected his criticism, insisting there is no political motive behind the decision.
Wilmes had sharply criticised Deprez at a press conference on Friday, suggesting that her actions may have been driven by political disagreement.
Deprez firmly denies this, maintaining that she stands by her decision to suspend him.
Asked in Parliament on Wednesday whether she had a personal conflict with Wilmes, Deprez said: "Why would I have a personal conflict with Dr Wilmes? I know Dr Wilmes indirectly through coalition negotiations. Beyond that, I have no personal conflict with him."
Wilmes, however, painted a different picture at his press conference. He described their working relationship over the past year and a half, since early 2024, as more substantial than suggested, referring to exchanges of text messages and several in-person meetings with the minister.
Deprez did not deny having had contact with him, but clarified: "I do not have a working relationship only with Dr Wilmes. I have working relationships with many doctors. I speak with many doctors. I receive documents from many doctors. This is just one among many." She emphasised that she has no personal issue with him.
After co-authoring a strategic paper on the future of the healthcare sector with other stakeholders in December 2024, Wilmes said disagreements soon emerged. "Personally, I felt there was increasingly less willingness to implement what this government had set out to do", he said.
In a letter addressed to PM Luc Frieden via Deprez on 12 October last year, he concluded: "With her, the coalition agreement cannot be implemented. There is a fundamental internal blockage that she is unable to overcome. She cannot do it and she does not want to."
Deprez appeared unfazed by these remarks, saying such statements only motivate her to continue her work. She reiterated that the government would implement the coalition agreement in line with parliamentary groups, noting that the parliamentary groups had reaffirmed their commitment in the autumn to maintaining the existing system and avoiding a two-tier healthcare model.
Wilmes also referred to rumours circulating late last year suggesting that Deprez's position had been under threat due to difficulties in advancing the coalition agreement.
Responding to this, Deprez said she had heard such rumours but would not comment on them, describing them as external speculation that had not been discussed internally.
She concluded by stressing that she remains in control of the situation. Asked whether the Wilmes case should become a priority for the PM, she said she would continue to fulfil her responsibilities, insisting that her decision was fully in line with the law.
