EIB’s €230 Million Loan Supports UZ Leuven’s Infrastructure Overhaul and Research Growth in Belgium

EIB’s €230 Million Loan Supports UZ Leuven’s Infrastructure Overhaul and Research Growth in Belgium

(IN BRIEF) UZ Leuven has secured a €230 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support its expansion and modernization efforts as part of its “Health Sciences Campus 2.0” masterplan. The funding will be used to upgrade critical areas such as intensive care, operating theatres, and research facilities for nuclear medicine, as well as extend its campus to improve services like oncology care, rehabilitation, and ambulatory services. This project aligns with Flanders’ goals to enhance its knowledge economy. EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot highlighted the integration of the hospital with the region’s innovation ecosystem. UZ Leuven CEO Prof. Dr. Paul Herijgers emphasized how the investment will elevate patient care and research capabilities at the university hospital.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 29-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — UZ Leuven, the leading university hospital in Leuven, Belgium, is set to benefit from a €230 million loan, provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to KU Leuven. The funds will be used to transform UZ Leuven’s Health Sciences campus by modernizing existing facilities and building new infrastructure, in line with the hospital’s ambitious plans to enhance medical and research capabilities by 2031.

The loan will support UZ Leuven’s “Health Sciences Campus 2.0” masterplan, which focuses on upgrading critical areas such as intensive care units, operating theatres, imaging and nuclear medicine facilities, as well as ambulatory care services like endoscopy and dentistry. UZ Leuven aims to create an efficient, integrated medical campus that optimizes patient care and medical workflows, alongside fostering innovation and supporting medical research. The plans also include extensive renovations to the hospital pharmacy and significant improvements to the hospital’s infrastructure.

With a vision of becoming a global hub for healthcare innovation, UZ Leuven’s masterplan aligns with Flanders’ ambition to drive its knowledge economy. As part of this initiative, the €230 million financing will enable the construction of modern facilities for cancer care, as well as upgraded spaces for nuclear medicine research and biobanking. The expansion of UZ Leuven’s campus will also include new rehabilitation areas at Pellenberg, catering to both hospitalisation and one-day care needs.

Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the EIB, commented on the loan, saying, “UZ Leuven’s modernization will support evolving care models and integrate the hospital within Leuven’s knowledge and innovation ecosystem. This is the second time the EIB has financed the hospital’s development, underscoring our commitment to social infrastructure projects that have a positive impact on citizens.”

Prof. Dr. Paul Herijgers, CEO of UZ Leuven, expressed gratitude for the partnership with EIB, adding, “This support from EIB, combined with resources from VIPA and internal funding, will enable us to provide state-of-the-art facilities for patient care, research, and innovation. With this investment, we can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible for our patients and researchers.”

Background information:

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. In 2023 the EIB provided over €2.1 billion in financing for Belgian projects.

UZ Leuven is affiliated with KU Leuven university and is the largest tertiary care university hospital in Belgium, tracing its origins to the Sint-Pieter Hospital, established in the heart of the City of Leuven in 1080. Consisting of the Gasthuisberg, Pellenberg and Sint-Rafaël (city) campuses, it’s one of the leading university hospitals in Europe, providing more than 1,800 beds which are served by almost 10,000 employees. Gasthuisberg is the main campus and contains all the highly specialised services, connected to the biomedical facilities of KU Leuve.

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+352 4379 – 89076

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank