Dutch health minister, charged with tackling coronavirus, resigns after collapse

DutchNews, March 19, 2020

Bruno Bruins addressing MPs before he collapsed. Photo: Phil Nijhuis via HH

Dutch health minister Bruno Bruins, who is responsible for tackling coronavirus, has resigned. 

Bruins collapsed in parliament on Wednesday night during a debate on the government’s handling of the crisis and said later that he was exhausted and needed to rest overnight at home. 

The state information service did not give a reason for his resignation in a press release, but insiders say his departure is unexpected. 

Hugo de Jonge, Bruin’s colleague at the ministry who has responsibility for welfare and sport, is taking over his role while a new health minister is appointed.