Dijkstra was born in
Franeker, and she completed her secondary education in
Sneek and
Leeuwarden with a
gymnasium diploma. She studied theology at the
University of Amsterdam between 1974 and 1978, but she did not obtain any degree. She subsequently worked as a producer and spokesperson for
Interkerkelijke Omroep Nederland (IKON) for six years and as a creator and host for
Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) for four years. Dijkstra became a reporter for the
NCRV current affairs program in 1986. She served as a member of the
House of Representatives from 2010 to 2021, focusing on issues such as healthcare,
medical ethics, and emancipation. She introduced a bill to have citizens marked as
organ donor by default in the
donor registry, which was enacted into law after passing both houses of parliament. Proposed legislation by Dijkstra to allow for
euthanasia in the absence of intolerable suffering for those over 75 years of age did not garner enough support. Her initial 2019 plan was criticized by the
Council of State. Dijkstra was appointed
Minister for Medical Care in the
demissionary fourth Rutte cabinet on 2 February 2024, following the resignation of
Ernst Kuipers as Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport the month before. Minister for Long-term Care and Sport
Conny Helder had succeeded Kuipers in an acting capacity, and continued to lead the
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport after transferring the medical care portfolio to Dijkstra. Dijkstra's responsibilities included
curative care,
health insurance,
medication,
medical ethics,
COVID-19, and
pandemic preparedness. == Personal life ==