A new report reveals that the resilience of the Belgian healthcare system is lower than in many other European countries.
The findings come from a barometer released on Wednesday by BD, a medical technology specialist. Key areas of concern include patient safety, pressure on healthcare staff, and efficiency and sustainability.
Belgium ranks 35th out of 100 countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Norway tops the list, with France, Germany, the Netherlands, and even Russia scoring better than Belgium.
The report highlights significant issues with patient safety whilst receiving care. Healthcare-associated infections in Belgium stand at 9.2%, notably higher than the European average of 6.8%.
"These figures are alarming and underscore the critical need for increased awareness, best practices, and innovative solutions," said Professor Dirk De Ridder, Director of Quality and Head of the Institute for Healthcare Policy at UZ Leuven.
Burnout among healthcare professionals is another major concern, exacerbated by the high patient-to-nurse ratio. In Belgian hospitals, it is 9.4 patients per nurse, above the recommended 8 patients per nurse.
"The shortage of nurses and caregivers is a global issue, but in Belgium, it is aggravated by the organisation and funding of care," said Dr Gilbert Bejjani, Vice President of BVAS. "More efficiency and a redistribution of tasks and functions are needed through various forms of cooperation within and outside hospitals."
The report also points to inefficiencies and sustainability issues, particularly lengthy hospital stays, which remain higher than the European average.
"The Belgian healthcare system has a solid infrastructure, but the Healthcare Resilience Barometer reveals significant opportunities for improvement. Healthcare is at a crossroads, and ensuring quality care for current and future generations has never been more important," concluded Alexander Alonso, General Manager Benelux at BD.
