Every province to get its own ADHD specialist
Because of the vast differences across Belgium in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, the health ministry is appointing a specialist to each province as a central point of contact
Streamlining policy
Next year, every Belgian province will have an expert to streamline the diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD ). Children with ADHD have trouble concentrating and sitting still, which often leads to problems at school.
The experts will be psychologists or doctors who will provide information to general practitioners, teachers and parents. The project, which will run for one year, has received €390,000 in funding from the federal public health ministry.
According to health minister Maggie De Block, there are too many regional differences in the approach to ADHD. Policies on prescribing Ritalin, the most common medication to treat ADHD, for instance, are very diverse. A 2014 study showed that only 20 doctors in West Flanders prescribed 60% of the Ritalin in the province. There are a large number of Ritalin prescriptions in Kortrijk in particular.
The ADHD project is part of a larger plan to establish a better mental health policy for youngsters. Minister De Block has allocated €21.2 million to the plan.
