Burners: Stories of Struggle, Dreams, and Care

13 June 2024, University Medical Center Utrecht

What do you do when you don’t officially exist but still need medical care? On June 13, we invited everyone to delve into the story of North African migrants and their complex realities in the Netherlands. We began with a powerful screening of the short film Burners, introduced by Nizar El Manouzi, known for his work as a presenter on Het Klokhuis and his acting in Mocro Maffia. Nizar is also a dedicated medical student at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Burners explores the lives of Mustafa and Reda, two young men with burning ambitions beyond their homeland. The title "Burners" refers to the practice of North African migrants burning their identity papers during their journey to prevent being identified as undocumented in Europe. However, the film is more than just a narrative; it serves as a powerful call for attention to the challenges faced by this group during their migration to Europe. 

Following the screening of Burners, we delved deeper into the complex healthcare challenges arising from these situations. A panel of experts shared their perspectives. Alongside Nizar El Manouzi, we welcomed Filip de Vos verwelkomen, an internist-oncologist specializing in culturally sensitive palliative care at UMCU. Additionally, an anonymous expert by experience and Youssef Ouaicha, a dedicated case manager at Meldpunt Perspectief, contributed their invaluable insights.