A cyber incident disrupted operations at Belgian hospital network AZ Monica, prompting the organization to shut down all servers, cancel planned medical procedures, and relocate critically ill patients. AZ Monica operates as a general hospital network with two campuses in Antwerp and Deurne, delivering acute, outpatient, and specialized healthcare services to the surrounding community.
The hospital took its systems offline at 6:32 a.m. on 13th January 2025 after identifying the cyberattack. While urgent care services remain active and current inpatients continue to receive treatment, non-essential consultations have been deferred because staff are unable to access electronic medical records.
“This morning (6:32 a.m.), AZ Monica experienced a serious disruption to its IT systems. As a precaution, all servers for the campuses in Deurne and Antwerp were proactively shut down.” reads a press statement published by the hospital. “Due to this situation, no scheduled surgeries are possible today . We have informed all patients. The Emergency Department is operating at reduced capacity . The MUG and PIT services are temporarily unavailable . Consultations continue. Visitors are always welcome.”
Following the incident, the healthcare organization initiated an internal investigation and informed law enforcement authorities, including police and prosecutors. With assistance from the Red Cross, AZ Monica safely transferred seven critical patients, while care for all remaining patients continues at the facility.
“Our emergency department is operating at low capacity. No patients are being transported to our emergency department by ambulance. Therefore, if you require urgent care, we ask that you contact your GP, a GP out-of-hours clinic, or another emergency service whenever possible.” reads a cyber incident update.
AZ Monica has not disclosed technical specifics about the attack. The Brussels Times cited unverified reports suggesting a ransom demand, though neither hospital officials nor authorities have confirmed these claims.
Hospital leadership reiterated that patient safety and the continuity of medical services remain their highest priorities. The situation is being closely monitored, and additional updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Cyberattacks targeting hospitals pose severe risks, as they can interrupt essential medical operations and endanger patient lives. Modern healthcare facilities rely heavily on digital systems for diagnostics, records, and treatment coordination, and system outages can delay urgent care. Such incidents also raise concerns about the exposure of sensitive patient information and can strain the broader healthcare system when patients must be redirected elsewhere.
