Pandemic research center opening in Rotterdam
ROTTERDAM - Erasmus MC and the municipality of Rotterdam are together opening the Pandemic Disaster Preparedness Center, a research center aimed at making sure the Netherlands is better prepared for future disasters. Ernst Kuipers of the national acute care network LNAZ and Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb revealed plans for the center on talk show Jinek on Thursday.
The coronavirus pandemic showed how unprepared the Netherlands, and the world, was to deal with such a crisis. The Netherlands ended up dependent on other countries for supplies like personal protective equipment, Aboutaleb said. In the future we must try to be as independent as possible. My wish is to set up this plan within three years. Not only nationally, but perhaps also internationally, the Rotterdam mayor said.