A Dictionary of Dutchness

GGD

The Netherlands has 33 GGDs, or regional health authorities, which oversee services run by local councils such as vaccination programmes and baby clinics. So what does GGD stand for? According to the GGD website, sometimes it stands for Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst (council health service). But in some places the first G stands for Gewestelijke (regional) or Gemeenschappelijke (community). And in Utrecht they use the name GG&GD, in which the third G stands for Geneeskundige (medical).