The merger between the Urban General Hospital (Algemeen Stedelijk Ziekenhuis, ASZ) and the Notre-Dame Hospital (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis, OLV) became official on January 1st. This merger gives rise to AZORG, now the third largest hospital in Flanders, spread over six sites located in Aalst, Asse, Grammont, Ninove and Wetteren.
With more than a million consultations, 115,000 day treatments and 80,000 surgical procedures annually, AZORG aims to become “a key player in terms of quality and innovation in health care” announced the institution on Friday in a press release.
An approach focused on innovation
Christoph D’Haese, Chairman of the Board of Directors, hailed this project as a historic moment: “This merger, long considered impossible, embodies strength and collaboration. Each site plays a key role in our mission to ensure quality care. »
Peter Verhulst, Managing Director, underlined the importance of collective work: “With 450 doctors and 5,000 employees, we exceed the dimensions of a simple large hospital. AZORG is an innovative organization, focused on excellence, born thanks to the exceptional commitment of our teams. »
Centers of excellence serving patients
AZORG integrates specialized centers, notably a Cardiac Center bringing together 60 experts in cardiology and cardiac surgery, and a Stroke Center (Beroertecentrum), strengthening its position among the European leaders in specialized care.
Professor Bruno Van Vlem, head of the nephrology department, highlighted the importance of the AZORG Renal Center: “We optimize our resources to guarantee exemplary continuity of care. » Ambulatory dialysis activities will gradually be centralized on the Moorselbaan campus by June 2025.
A modern and efficient organization
The centralization of services such as clinical biology, radiotherapy and pathological anatomy illustrates AZORG’s objective: to increase efficiency while maintaining a high level of care.
With this merger, AZORG sets a new standard in the Flemish hospital landscape, the press release concludes.
