Vilvoorde’s new AZ Jan Portaels hospital: 300 beds, €200M investment

Sarhan Basem
Credit: Belga

Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Vilvoorde will construct a new hospital on the old Renault site, featuring 300 beds and focusing on outpatient care. Rudy Mattheus and the Flemish government support the 200 million euro project. 

The building at the corner of Gendarmeriestraat and Vlaanderestraat in Vilvoorde is old and no longer meets modern needs. After many years of use, it has become too worn out to be renovated. Because of this, the city plans to build a new building instead. This decision is part of a larger effort to improve public facilities for the community.

What will the new AZ Jan Portals Hospital bring to Vilvoorde?

The new building will be located on the old Renault sites, which have been empty for over 25 years. These sites used to have a busy car factory, but they have mostly been unused since the factory closed in the early 1990s. This redevelopment is a chance to improve a part of Vilvoorde that isn’t being used well and is an important step in revitalizing the area while providing modern facilities that meet today’s needs.

The new hospital will have 300 beds, less than the current 400. This change reflects a shift toward daycare and outpatient services instead of traditional overnight stays. In the Vilvoorde area, day hospital visits are expected to rise by 50 percent in the coming years. Rudy Mattheus, vice-chairman of AZ Jan Portaels, mentioned that people are spending less time in hospitals because of faster diagnoses and less invasive surgeries. The new building will be one of the first to have fewer beds than the old one.

The new hospital project is expected to cost 200 million euros. The Flemish government will invest 120 million euros over the next 30 years, while the rest will be funded by banks and contributions from doctors and the hospital itself. 

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Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
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