The Vivalia AG: Where Strategic Plans Go to Die (Or Get Postponed)
Ah, the thrill of aAnnual General Meeting (AGM) – where the brightest minds in the industry come together to discuss the latest and greatest in… well, whatever it is they’re supposed to be doing. In this case, the Vivalia AG gathered to discuss their strategic plan, which, by the sounds of it, was less than impressive.
Romain Gaudron, the illustrious Écolo representative from Arlon, likened the presentation to a "Saint Nicholas catalog of good intentions." I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I’m pretty sure it’s not a compliment. It seems Mr. Gaudron was less than enthused by the whole ordeal, questioning the very existence of the strategic plan itself. "You don’t have a strategic plan!" he exclaimed – a sentiment that was likely met with a chorus of awkward, uncomfortable silences.
Meanwhile, François Kinard, the mayor of Aubange, was a tad more… diplomatic in his assessment. He praised the Vivalia teams for their innovation and telemedicine programs, but ultimately decided to abstain from voting, citing a lack of vision and inaccuracies regarding something called "proxiclinics." I’m not quite sure what proxiclinics are, but they sound important. Maybe. Possibly. Ish.
Things took a turn for the bizarre when Kinard refused to participate in the vote on the 2025 budget, stating that the CA (whatever that means) was the only authority that mattered. "In any case, only the CA decides," he quipped. Ah, a classic move – the administrative equivalent of saying, "I’m not playing because I don’t like your rules."
Houdemont: The Quest for Bank Financing
After the thrilling discussion on the strategic plan (or lack thereof), the AG proceeded to discuss the Houdemont CHR project, which is apparently a significant undertaking that involves felling and deforestation work in March 2025. CEO Pascal Mertens assured everyone that contacts with Belgian banks and the European Investment Bank (EIB) were "positive." Ah, that’s reassuring, I suppose.
The numbers being thrown around are interesting, though – 400 million euros, 500 million, 600 million… it’s like a game of financial musical chairs, except instead of musical chairs, it’s million-euro loans. According to the EIB, they’ll finance up to 50% of the total loan amount for the works part of the Houdemont CHR – not including materials and equipment, because, you know, that’s just optional.
In a move that’s sure to thrill local residents, Vivalia has decided to involve staff in the naming process. A whopping 116 name suggestions were submitted, with the final five or six being put to a vote by the inhabitants of the province via the web in 2025. So, that’s something to look forward to – a completely unremarkable and easily forgettable name for the Houdemont CHR, decided by the benevolent voices of the locals.
There you have it – a thrilling account of the Vivalia AG, where strategic plans were debated, bank financing was discussed, and the citizens of the province were somehow roped into the renaming process of a hospital wing. What a day indeed.
Romain Gaudron, Écolo’s representative from Arlon, expressed his discontent with the presentation, likening it to a “Saint Nicholas catalog of good intentions” that lacked concrete substance. In his opinion, Vivalia is repeating the mistakes of 2023, when the strategic plan was postponed, and emphasized that a genuine strategic plan is still absent. “You don’t have a strategic plan!” he exclaimed, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive approach.
François Kinard, the mayor of Aubange, commended the Vivalia teams for their innovative and telemedicine programs, but expressed concerns regarding the lack of vision and inaccuracies surrounding proxiclinics. “There are some great things in this strategic plan, but our municipality will abstain on this point due to the aforementioned shortcomings.” He noted that while the plan shows promise, it falls short of providing a clear direction and accurate information on key aspects.
Regarding the 2025 budget, François Kinard chose to withdraw from the AG, stating that “only the CA decides, and we don’t take into account what the AG wants.” This decision reflects the municipality’s stance on the budgetary process and the role of the AG in shaping financial decisions.
Houdemont: quid?
A pivotal presentation focused on the progress of the Houdemont CHR project, with CEO Pascal Mertens confirming that contacts with Belgian banks and the EIB are ongoing and yielding positive results. Belfius and ING have been appointed as coordinators of this critical phase of bank financing, with financing agreements expected by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2025. The total amount of borrowings, initially set at 400 million euros, is currently being refined, with some estimates suggesting it may reach 500 or even 600 million euros. Notably, the EIB will finance up to 50% of the total loan amount for the works part of the Houdemont CHR, excluding materials and equipment.
Fabian Namur, communications manager, announced that Vivalia has invited its staff to suggest names for the Houdemont CHR, resulting in an impressive 116 ideas. In a novel approach, “in 2025, we will ask the inhabitants of the province, via the web, to choose one of the 5 or 6 selected names, a first for a hospital in Belgium.” This innovative method aims to engage the local community in the naming process, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.
