Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Jessa Hospital in Hasselt is banning alcohol by April 2025, following government rules. Alcohol is already banned at two campuses, but the Virga Jesse campus will cease in June 2025. The hospital wants to promote health, with exceptions for palliative care patients.
Jessa Hospital in Hasselt is getting ready to follow the federal government’s alcohol ban in hospitals. This is part of the health measures from Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke. The hospital is almost ready to follow the new rules that stop selling alcohol on hospital grounds.
According to Lieve Ketelslegers, a representative from the hospital, they have already started to make some changes. Alcohol is no longer sold at two of Jessa’s three campuses, which are Salvator and Sint-Ursula. However, the Virga Jesse campus still sells alcohol in the bar because of a contract with the operator.
Ketelslegers explained that this contract will stay until it is reviewed in June 2025. This means the Virga Jesse campus will keep selling alcohol for about six more months before the ban fully starts.
What steps is Jessa Hospital taking to enforce an alcohol ban?
Jessa Hospital believes this is important for public health. Lieve Ketelslegers said the hospital should provide only healthy choices for everyone. Experts say that alcohol can harm health, just like other drugs. They mentioned that this has made the hospital more focused on health rather than convenience. By enforcing the alcohol ban at all its locations, Jessa Hospital aims to encourage healthier habits in the community.
“At the moment, you can no longer get alcohol on 2 of our 3 campuses, Salvator and Sint-Ursula”,
says Lieve Ketelslegers of the hospital.
Jessa Hospital is trying to promote health by banning alcohol on its campuses. They know it is hard to check every visitor and staff member. Lieve Ketelslegers said that the focus is not on strict rules.
He mentioned that doctors and staff cannot drink during work hours. This rule also applies to after-work events like retirement parties. Alcohol will not be served at these gatherings. The hospital wants to encourage a responsible and healthy environment for everyone.
The alcohol ban will also include visitors and patients at the hospital to support a healthy environment. Lieve Ketelslegers said there may be exceptions in some cases. In the palliative care unit, the hospital wants to be understanding. If a patient wants to have a last drink, like a Duvel, the hospital will be sympathetic.
“The days when people celebrated births with crates of beer and bottles of champagne are over.”
Dear Ketelslegers, Jessa Hospital
At Jessa Hospital, they do not expect much against the alcohol ban. Lieve Ketelslegers said young parents rarely bring alcohol to the maternity ward now. The times when people came with lots of beer and champagne are gone.
She thinks this change is because of new visiting rules at Flemish hospitals. She mentioned that visits are now fewer and more personal, with only close family members coming. Celebrations are held at home instead. Ketelslegers also highlight that not many parents bring sugared almonds anymore.
Ketelslegers said:
“The visits are less numerous and much more intimate. Only grandparents or brothers and sisters come to visit. The concept has changed, the party is celebrated at home. We also see very few parents who still bring sugared almonds.”
What new alcohol regulations did the Belgian government approve?
In March 2024, the Belgian government approved new rules to limit the sale of alcohol and tobacco. These rules were introduced by Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke. The aim was to improve public health. One key rule banned the sale of alcoholic drinks in hospital cafeterias and vending machines. This ban started on April 1, 2024.
According to resources, the new rules were part of a larger plan to reduce alcohol and tobacco use. This plan included stricter rules on advertising and making these products harder to get. They mentioned that by focusing on hospitals, the government wanted to set an example of its commitment to health and to reduce problems caused by alcohol use.
Several hospitals decided to start the alcohol ban before the official deadline. AZ Sint-Maria in Halle and AZ Groeninge in Kortrijk were two of these hospitals. They wanted to create healthier spaces for patients, visitors, and staff. The hospitals believed it was important to connect their work with larger health goals. They aimed to encourage healthy lifestyles in their communities.