News

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.

UZ Leuven prosa team celebrates 10 years of tailored care for children

18 November 2024

For ten years, the prosa team at UZ Leuven has been ready to relieve children's anxiety and pain, both before and during medical procedures. Their approach to fear and pain in our children's hospital is unique for Belgium.

Belgium has been waiting for 20 years for national recognition of its centres of expertise for rare diseases

7 November 2024

Belgian doctors, hospitals and patients are collectively sounding the alarm. With a new Flemish and federal government in the making, they are calling for the Rare Diseases Plan to be put high on the agenda again. Belgium is one of the few European countries that does not have national reference centres for rare diseases. “The patient bears the brunt of this."

Newest mini pacemakers suitable for more than 80 per cent of patients

18 October 2024

Leuven cardiologists have for the first time implanted a new type of mini pacemaker applicable for almost anyone who needs a pacemaker.

UZ Leuven and KU Leuven invest 14 million euros in new cell and gene therapy facility

8 October 2024

UZ Leuven and KU Leuven are establishing an innovative facility for the production of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) on the Gasthuisberg Campus. At this facility, they want to develop pioneering therapies themselves from the end of 2025 and produce personalised treatments for individual patients

Successful first edition of Belgian Transplantoux Games in Leuven

26 September 2024

On 21 and 22 September, Transplantoux organised the very first edition of the Belgian Transplantoux Games in Leuven. The sporting event brought together transplant and dialysis patients, donors and sympathisers under the ‘healthy living and excercising after a transplant’ motto. Some 400 sportsmen and women competed for medals in more than 10 disciplines.

New EUHA position paper highlights the role of university hospitals in sustainable care

11 September 2024

This week the European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA) published its position paper 'Rethinking Healthcare Systems'. Among other things, the paper pushes forward three key action points to ensure the future of European healthcare. Discover them here.

New storage method for donor hearts surpasses traditional storage on ice

5 September 2024

A UZ Leuven study shows the benefits of machine perfusion for longer and safer storage of donor hearts pending transplantation.

Immunotherapy can prevent dangerous blood transfusion in foetus

8 August 2024

A new study shows that the drug nipocalimab is a good alternative for the not harmless blood transfusion in a rhesus pregnancy: the drug ensures that the mother's antibodies can no longer go to the foetus.