Technical issues with birth registration are causing serious problems for new parents in Lobbes. Vincent, a local father, has struggled for over a month to register his newborn son, Clément, due to ongoing system failures. As of 2025-06-12 20:16:00, the problem remains unresolved, leaving the baby without official recognition.
- Vincent contacts RTL over registration issues
- Technical problems delay newborn's official registration
- Unregistered baby lacks social security coverage
- Municipality switches provider causing service disruptions
- Mayor promises resolution within one week
- Parents avoid hospitals fearing medical costs
Without registration, Clément lacks a national registry number and social security coverage. This situation affects parental leave payments and medical reimbursements, forcing the family to rely solely on the hospital where the baby was born. How can a newborn be invisible to the state in 21st-century Belgium? And what does this mean for other families facing similar issues?
These questions highlight the urgency of resolving the technical glitch, which the municipality attributes to a recent switch in IT providers. The story raises concerns about digital infrastructure reliability in essential public services.
Why is this issue persisting despite assurances? The transition from Proximus to Dstiny has disrupted multiple services, including issuing birth certificates. Key points include:
- Birth registration delays prevent official recognition and social security access
- Medical costs for unregistered babies are not reimbursed outside the birth hospital
- The municipality collaborates with the new provider but admits birth certificate issues are complex
- Repeated promises of imminent resolution have yet to materialize, causing parental distress
As Lobbes works to restore full functionality, authorities must prioritise communication and swift solutions. Will this incident prompt wider reviews of digital systems in Belgian municipalities to prevent future disruptions?
