AZ Monica hospital in Belgium shuts down servers after cyberattack

AZ Monica hospital in Belgium shut down its servers after a cyberattack, forcing the network to cancel procedures and transfer seven critical patients with Red Cross support, while urgent care continues. The hospital said it disconnected its systems at 6:32 a.m. and has limited access to digital medical records, with non-urgent consultations postponed.

A press statement from AZ Monica explained that all servers at its Deurne and Antwerp campuses were shut as a precaution, and that the Emergency Department is operating at reduced capacity. The Brussels Times reported unverified claims of a ransom demand, which authorities and hospital officials have not confirmed, according to Brussels Times. The facility emphasised patient safety remains a priority and that it is investigating the incident and notifying police and prosecutors.