Two hospital networks merged in July 2024 in order to create ZAS, the largest healthcare organization in Belgium. ZAS stands for ‘Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom’ (‘Hospital by the river’), a reference to the Schelde, the river of commercial and strategic importance that defines the city. In similar fashion, ZAS plays adefining role in the region’s health care.
ZAS stands for high-quality care for all patient and offers all inhabitants of the region top notch basic care as well as highly specialized care close to home. By combining forces, ZAS is able to continue investing in care and infrastructure,in order to provide state-of-the-art care adapted to today’s and tomorrow’s needs, making it a driving force in the Belgian health care landscape. Their vision is providing warm and excellent care. Together they ensure that everyone finds their way to good healthcare.
Innovation highlights:
As the World Health Organization indicates ‘Health innovation’ improves the efficiency, effectiveness,quality, sustainability, safety, and affordability of healthcare.
Process improvements for accessible and specialized care
ZAS works together with the ecosystem and collaborates on different levels to improve care. Investments are made in research and development. New techniques such as specialized stents for heart failure patients are used, toolkits are created for intensive care,and the ROBUST passport is a new tool for systematic medical follow-up for elderly.
ZAS is participating in several projects, like WeScan (to enable hospitals to provide remote scan assistance and address the shortage of medical imaging personnel). In June 2024, ZAS, along with the city of Antwerp, Helix Hospital Network, University of Antwerp, and Antwerp Primary Care Zones, signed the cooperation agreement ‘Antwerp Health Harbour’. This unique and distinctive ecosystem aims to stimulate innovation in the healthcare sector, with a focus on data and prevention.
Modernization of buildings and equipment
ZAS Cadix opened in 2023, a brand new hospital with state of the art equipment. Since 2024, ZAS also has the largest center for cancer treatment in Flanders. The new Oncology Center Antwerp (OCA) has 39 specialists, which allows the physician to focus on certain forms of the disease. Many projects are planned in the coming years, such as the start of a prosthetic clinic and construction of a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Healthcare digitalization
Digital Innovation like the Electronic Health Record and an Expertise centrum AI are implemented. The government supports projects such as the patient friendly letter, telemonitoring pilots and projects for SNOMED which are coordinated by ZAS.
“We pioneer, create and innovate to address the many challenges and needs of tomorrow. ”Willeke Dijkhoffz, ZAS CEO
