Belgium Not Prepared for Heatwaves: 95% of Care Homes and Hospitals Need Renovation by 2050

Belgium's healthcare infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle rising temperatures, with a staggering 95% of nursing homes and hospitals requiring extensive renovations by 2050. A study by the construction federation Embuild highlights the urgent need for these upgrades to align with European climate objectives.

The report underscores the dual challenge of climate change and demographic shifts. By 2050, Belgium expects a 32% increase in its population aged 65 to 85, and a doubling of those over 85. This demographic surge will necessitate the construction of 486 new nursing homes and seven additional hospitals.

The necessary renovations are not merely about comfort; they are crucial for patient and resident safety during increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. The current infrastructure, largely built before the full impact of climate change was understood, is not designed to maintain safe indoor temperatures under extreme heat conditions.

Embuild's findings point to a significant investment required to retrofit existing buildings and construct new ones. The timeline to 2050 demands immediate action and strategic planning to ensure that Belgium's healthcare facilities can provide adequate care and safety amidst a changing climate.