UZ Leuven’s masterplan 2.0 includes works on the intensive care units, operating theatres, imaging, nuclear medicine and ambulatory care facilities such as endoscopy and dentistry, as well as works on the pharmacy.
The European Investment Bank will support the UZ Leuven 2022-2033 investment plan with a €230 million loan to the KU Leuven. The hospital will use the financing to support its masterplan of adapting the infrastructure on existing campuses to current research and medical care requirements.
The financing supports UZ Leuven’s 'Health Sciences campus 2.0' masterplan, which will further transform its campus into an innovation ecosystem, in-line with Flanders’ ambition to support and develop its knowledge economy, in close collaboration with the KU Leuven. The intensive care units and operating theatres will benefit from new facilities to substitute aging buildings, allowing also to better connect and integrate them with other parts of the care site, including the new construction featuring, hospitalisation facilities and the extension for oncological care. A well-planned layout of medical departments and supporting services will allow for optimised patient- and workflows in the hospital.
Research facilities
The loan will also be used to finance research facilities for nuclear medicine, the tissue and biobank facility, as well as a new production site for the pharmacy in Leuven. In addition to to the investments in the expansion, modernisation and renovation of parts of the Gasthuisberg campus, the EIB loan will also support further renewal of UZ Leuven’s rehabilitation campus Pellenberg, for both hospitalisation and one-day care.
With this financing we can, as a university hospital, continue to push boundaries for our patients
prof. dr. Paul Herijgers
EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot said: 'UZ Leuven’s plans will not only help the hospital cater for profound changes to existing care models, it will also further integrate the facilities in the knowledge and innovation ecosystem that Leuven is creating. This is the EIB’s second financing for Leuven’s hospital campus, showing the commitment of the EIB in supporting social infrastructure and financing projects that have a positive impact on citizens.'
UZ Leuven CEO prof. dr. Paul Herijgers said: 'UZ Leuven and KU Leuven greatly appreciate the essential support from EIB. This financing allows us, together with VIPA resources and internal funding, to establish state of the art facilities for both our top patient care programs as well as our research and innovation infrastructure. This way, as a university hospital, we can continue to push boundaries for our patients.'
About EIB
De Europese Investeringsbank (EIB) is de EU-instelling voor langetermijnleningen. De aandelen zijn in handen van de 27 EU-lidstaten, waarvan 5,2 procent in handen is van België. De EIB stelt lange-termijnfinanciering beschikbaar voor solide investeringen die bijdragen aan de beleidsdoelstellingen van de EU.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the EU institution for long-term loans. Its shares are held by the 27 EU Member States, with 5.2% owned by Belgium. The EIB makes long-term financing available for sound investments that contribute towards the EU's policy objectives.
