In the Netherlands, people can get sunscreen for free in hundreds of places this summer. Sunscreen dispensers are placed at festivals, schools, sports clubs and communities so that everyone can protect themselves from the sun. The country wants to counteract the increasing number of skin cancers.
The Venlo-Venray hospital near the German border is one of the participants in the campaign. The clinic’s dermatologist had come up with the idea of using the disinfectant dispensers set up during the corona pandemic for sunscreen, the clinic spokeswoman told the NOS broadcaster. Skin cancer in particular is currently on the rise in the Netherlands. Applying lotion is the best protection and it is important that children get used to it, according to the spokeswoman. The clinic, together with a health insurance company and several communities, supplies 120 elementary schools with sunscreen dispensers.
The company Sundo has specialized in setting up sunscreen dispensers in the Netherlands and Belgium. Founder Ybe Heemskerk came up with the idea with a friend two years ago while sitting in the sun. “My father has had skin cancer a number of times, so I think it’s very important to prevent this disease,” said Heemskerk.
“It costs money, a few thousand euros, but we think the health of our residents and visitors is very important,” said City Councilor Jacco Knape from the seaside resort of Katwijk on the North Sea to the NOS. “We see people enjoying the sun without protection, and in Katwijk that’s more than average, and that’s not good.”