Amsterdam University Hospital to be upgraded with EUR 100m EIB support

18-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Plans to modernise healthcare facilities and upgrade a dedicated secure power supply at Amsterdam’s main teaching hospital will be supported by a EUR 100m loan from Europe’s long-term lending institution. Refurbishment of the main building of the AMC and Emma Children’s Hospital, backed by the European Investment Bank, will ensure modern facilities essential for acute medical treatment and enable use of the latest technology for diagnosis. The investment programme includes construction of a new low emission power plant to increase the secure power supply and reduce emissions.

The long-term, 18 year, loan from the European Investment Bank was formally signed in Amsterdam by representatives of AMC and the European Investment Bank.

“The European Investment Bank recognises the essential need for investment in healthcare facilities and ensuring that the latest medical best practice can be provided to patients by leading hospitals across Europe. We are pleased to support the significant investment programme being carried out by the AMC that will not only benefit patients at the main hospital and also improve services at Emma Children’s hospital. The European Investment Bank looks forward to working with other Dutch hospitals in the coming months.” said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President responsible for lending in the Netherlands.

“We are proud that the AMC is the first healthcare institution in the Netherlands to be supported by the European Investment Bank for many years. This support demonstrates the confidence of the European Investment Bank in both our ambitious future plans and our strong financial position. The AMC wishes to be a European leader in providing specialist and innovative healthcare, scientific research and medical education. We now have the financial backing necessary to achieve these goals.” Professor Marcel Levi, Chairman of the Hospital Board.

The investment programme supported by the European Investment Bank will strengthen specialist healthcare and reduce the need for patients to stay overnight by enabling operating theatres to increase use of minimal invasive techniques. Treatment and care of chronically ill children in the Emma Children’s Hospital will be improved and facilities for parents to stay with their children increased. Overall refurbishment of medical facilities will improve fire safety, air-conditioning and access to computer technology.

The AMC uses its own dedicated power supply to ensure secure electricity provision. The existing heavy fuel oil power plant will be replaced by a more efficient and environmentally friendly gas powered system and increase generation capacity from 8MW to 112MW.

Support for the AMC investment programme will also be provided by BNG, ING and Rabobank. AMC are being advised by Montesquieu and Allen and Overy, and the EIB by EIB was advised by Loyens and Loeff. Renovation and construction work is expected to be completed by 2015.

Over the last 5 years the European Investment Bank has provided nearly EUR 8 billion for long-term investment in the Netherlands.  The Bank is currently evaluating possible support for Maastricht Hospital.

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