A cyberattack has disrupted IT systems at two of Belgium’s AZ Monica hospitals, forcing them to postpone surgeries and suspend parts of routine care. The incident affected two sites in Antwerp and Deurne, where staff shut down servers as a precaution after detecting serious system problems.
AZ Monica said the attack left staff without access to electronic patient records and other digital services needed for normal operations. At least 70 planned surgical procedures were postponed, and non-urgent consultations were also delayed. The hospital said emergency care remained available, but services were operating under constraints due to the loss of digital systems.
The disruption was detected early in the morning, prompting an immediate shutdown of servers at both locations. Staff switched to manual procedures where possible, including paper-based processes, to continue providing care. The hospital advised patients to contact their general practitioner or another emergency department if urgent medical attention was required.
Some patients were transferred to other facilities with support from emergency services. The hospital said decisions were made based on clinical need and the ability to provide safe care without access to digital records.
Belgian authorities and prosecutors have been informed, and an investigation is underway. AZ Monica has not confirmed what type of attack occurred or whether any data was accessed or taken. The hospital said it is working to restore systems and resume normal services as quickly as possible.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about the impact of cyberattacks on healthcare operations, where electronic records and scheduling systems are central to daily patient care. AZ Monica said patient safety remains the priority while recovery efforts continue.