In Brussels, there are more hospitals in deficit than in the rest of the country. 75% are in the red compared to 63% on the national average, reveals the 30th Maha report from Belfius. This situation is mainly linked to the particular characteristics of the Brussels patient population, which is more precarious, and to the pensions of statutory employees.
“The resumption of medical activities was not complete in 2023. Day hospitalization is gaining ground and lengths of stay continue to decrease in traditional hospitalization. Staff shortages and the cost of temporary work are affecting hospitals. The budget allocated to cybersecurity exceeds that of the computerized patient file in certain hospitals,” comments Dieter Goemaere, director of hospitals of the Gibbis federation, following the publication of the results of the Maha 2023 study. “All the recent standards added by the Europe, for example for cybersecurity, have good intentions, but the funding has not followed. »
The hospital expert recalls that the risk of isolation and fragility of the Brussels population is 38%, compared to 19% in the rest of the country. “Our hospitals have specific costs linked to this social care, not to mention the cost of statutory pensions in public hospitals, which is a house of cards ready to collapse if we do not find a more global solution. »
“This financial fragility of hospitals cannot continue. They can’t be negative for too long, especially with the challenges ahead of them. We are issuing a call to action. The Maha study shows great financial uncertainty, which the banking sector does not like. Neither do managers, especially since our main source of funding is uncertain, since there is still no 2025 budget for health care. In addition, there is still no federal and Brussels governments, therefore no long-term vision. »
Also read:
> The number of loss-making hospitals increases every year (Maha Report)
> Retrocessions and fee supplements: the minister calls for more transparency
> Hospital reform: “We are up against the wall” (Dr Ph. Devos)
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