THE HAGUE – The Dutch healthcare system is still affected by the country’s slavery past, according to a new academic report that links historical medical practices during slavery to ongoing distrust among descendants of enslaved people.
The research shows that during the transatlantic slave trade and colonial plantation era, medical professionals were not neutral actors. Doctors and ship surgeons inspected enslaved people as “human property,” accompanied slave ships, and later worked on plantations to ensure enslaved laborers remained physically able to work. Medical decisions were often driven by economic interests rather than care or well-being.
These practices, the report argues, laid the groundwork for deep-rooted mistrust toward medical institutions. Descendants of enslaved people are more likely to question healthcare systems, delay seeking care, or avoid medical treatment altogether, particularly when they experience stereotyping or discrimination in modern healthcare settings.
The study also points to structural racism within medical education and healthcare delivery, including a lack of diversity in training materials and limited recognition of lived experiences. According to the researchers, rebuilding trust requires acknowledging this history and actively addressing discrimination within the healthcare system.