News

Belgian milestone: UZ Leuven carries out 1,500th lung transplant

17 March 2025

Recently, the lung transplant team successfully performed the 1,500th lung transplant at UZ Leuven. Today, the centre ranks among the top European centres and performs some two-thirds of all Belgian lung transplants every year and achieves excellent results.

UZ Leuven climbs to place 40 in new Newsweek ranking of best hospitals in the world

7 March 2025

The American magazine Newsweek and data platform Statista rranked the best hospitals in the world for the seventh year in a row: World's Best Hospitals 2025. In it, UZ Leuven is the first Belgian hospital at position 40, which is four places higher than in 2024 and no less than eight places higher than in 2023.

2024 annual report

3 March 2025

In the annual report, figures, news items and images give an idea of our activities and key events. Discover how our staff combine innovative medicine with cordiality and warmth to provide the best care to our patients every day.

Rare Disease Day 2025

28 February 2025

In Belgium alone, half a million people live with a condition affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 individuals. While their diseases may be rare, together they form a large group facing not only complex and unpredictable medical challenges but also societal obstacles, uncertainty, and social isolation.

18 Indian healthcare colleagues set to work at UZ Leuven 

31 January 2025

Since October 2024 18 Indian nurses are at work at UZ Leuven. The Indian colleagues work across various departments in the university hospital. The hospital looks back and makes some recommendations for other hospitals that also want to work with expatriate employees.

UZ Leuven gets support from European Investment Bank for modernisation and expansion

29 January 2025

UZ Leuven to benefit from €230 million lending agreement between KU Leuven and the European Investment Bank (EIB), to finance its infrastructure plans up to 2031. The works will cover an overhaul of the main Health Sciences campus Gasthuisberg in Leuven.

Leuven Cancer Institute receives international quality label

23 January 2025

The Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI) has officially been recognized as a 'Comprehensive Cancer Centre' (CCC) by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). As only the second center in Belgium to receive this prestigious accreditation, the LKI has been acknowledged for its excellence in oncology care, groundbreaking research, and high-quality training.

First combined genetic and epigenetic test ensures quicker diagnosis of rare diseases

15 January 2025

Researchers of the centre for human genetics (CME) developed a new diagnostic method for detecting both genetic and epigenetic anomalies with one single analysis. The technique improves the diagnosis of rare developmental disorders and will soon become standard clinical practice.

UZ Leuven recycles CO₂ absorber canisters from the OR

17 December 2024

Since early November UZ Leuven has been recycling CO₂ absorber canisters after use in the operating room. This way the hospital prevents 1,500 kilograms of soda lime and 180 kilograms of plastic from ending up in the incinerator every year. A partner company processes the plastic into raw material for new products and the breathing lime into agricultural soil improver.

First patient receives radiotherapy with innovative ‘RAD’ technique

4 December 2024

Last week UZ Leuven used the brand new RAD-technique to irradiate a patient with breast cancer. RAD combines the advantages of two existing radiation techniques. This further protects the healthy tissue surrounding the tumour and reduces the treatment time.

Meet the hiv consultants

29 November 2024

1 december is World AIDS Day, which brings global attention to HIV prevention and solidarity with people living with HIV. Veerle Vandebos and Julie Printemps, nursing consultants at the HIV reference centre, talk about their job, the progress in treatment and prevention of HIV and the continuing stigma..

Single-arm surgical robot offers new possibilities for transoral surgery

26 November 2024

With an investment in 4 new surgical robots, including an innovatieve single-arm robot, UZ Leuven is fully embracing robotic surgery. As a university hospital and largest training centre, UZ Leuven will extend the latest robotic technologies to just about all surgical disciplines.