Antwerp: sustainability through innovation

IFHE general secretary and past president Darryl Pitcher reports on the 2025 IFHE Council Meeting, which was held in Antwerp, Belgium, in May 2025

The 2025 Meeting of the IFHE Council was generously hosted by Belgium A Member Zorg.tech in conjunction with the annual Zorg.tech Conference, which was also hosting the 10th IFHE-EU Congress.

The gathering brought together more than 20 countries from across the world under the headline of Sustainable Healthcare Design Safety and Quality and facilitated the sharing of experiences and knowledge associated with the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of healthcare facilities.

Kindly convened by Erik Van de Wauwer with the support of Zorg.tech president Roger Albertijn, IFHE members joined each other in the beautiful historic city of Antwerp to discuss matters relevant to the ongoing operations of IFHE.

Prior to the Council meeting, the sub-committee undertaking the review of the Statutes and Standing Orders, as convened in Cape Town in 2024, met to finalise the new SOs that had been worked on during the intervening period via Zoom meetings. This sub-committee moved forward with Standing Orders SO.001 – SO.006 and these were presented, discussed, and agreed at the Council meeting. It was recognised that some of the changes recommended and adopted created tension with the Statutes, and while the Statutes would prevail, they would be reviewed to align with the now agreed position of Council.

Following the day spent by the Standing Order Review Sub-committee, the IFHE Executive Committee spent a day together in session to consider important governance issues and recommendations to bring to Council’s attention for agreement and ratifying. Of critical importance is the development of work action plans to progress the needs and activities of members, including a draft budget and proposals to support IFHE member activities.

An update from the IFHE President

The Council then met on Tuesday 20 May at the Hotel Mercure Antwerp City South, bringing together sixteen member countries, who were joined by three additional member organisations via Zoom, and Mr Dan Fuochi, IFHE director based in Geneva, Switzerland.

IFHE President Kevin Poggenpoel provided an update of activities he has been pursuing since his appointment in Cape Town, South Africa in 2024, and encouraged all members to work together to support improved healthcare facilities management around the globe to ensure that safe and quality care is available to our communities. Following discussion on 2025 matters surrounding the establishment of IFHE, a Financial Report was provided with a draft budget still being developed.

This meeting was held in the early part of the year, and the 2025 financial situation, membership renewals, and activities for the period were still being undertaken, making it difficult to establish and agree on a budget for 2026. It was agreed this would continue to be developed and that a further Council meeting would be held at a later date to allow Council to agree to future actions and budgets for 2026.

Reports from sixteen A Member associations had been received – as well as from IFHE-EU – and all were reminded of their obligation to provide these annual reports to the IFHE secretariat. These were taken as read, and were accepted.

Goodbye to Gunnar

Importantly, our long-time secretary general, Gunnar Baekken – a generous contributor to IFHE Executive Committee functions for 20 years – took the opportunity of this meeting to retire from ExCo. Gunnar was recognised with a certificate and a standing ovation for his dedication and commitment to IFHE and his support of many activities. In accepting his certificate of service, Gunnar commented on the joy that his service to IFHE has given him, and the many friends he has made and treasured during his tenure. While Gunnar leaves the ExCo, he has committed to supporting IFHE through the Senior Advisory Group that he has helped to establish, and will provide a genuine benefit to future ExCo and Council members.

Gunnar, we thank you for your contribution and dedication and wish you all the best into the future.

The balance of the meeting was used to bring Council up to date on the various working parties including; Newsletter & Communications; Education; Website and Social Media; Strategic Partnerships with WHO, IHF and ASHRAE; Statues and Standing Order Review, and a report on the 2025 IFHE Digest provided in absentia by Andy Wavell.

Other activities that gained attention included the 2026 IFHE Congress, Carbon Reduction Awards, and the 2026 Building Awards programmes. At the conclusion of the meeting, the group gathered for the obligatory photo, capturing excellent memories of a worthwhile day spent together in collaboration.

The Council met at the Hotel Mercure Antwerp City South.

The IFHE-EU/ZORG.Tech Congress kicked off in earnest on Thursday for two wholesome days of technical and scientific presentations and site visits to some of Belgium’s premier health and aged care facilities. Opportunity was provided for superior networking events including the outstanding gala dinner event hosted in the Handelsbeurs Antwerpen – the world’s oldest stock exchange – a historic, strategic, and architectural stunning location enjoyed by over 1,000 guests.

The IFHE Executive Committee and Council congratulates ZORG.tech on an outstanding event, and thanks them for their generous hospitality allowing the IFHE fraternity to gather, share, network, and reconnect.

A gala dinner event hosted in the Handelsbeurs Antwerpen stock exchange.

We look forward to our next gathering in October, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisianna, USA. All members are encouraged to make preparations to join in with what will be a superb event – not to be missed.