UMC Utrecht has a wealth of expertise in the field of rare diseases and is therefore proud of the new designations as a centre of expertise awarded by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport in December 2025.
The first new ECZA concerns the UMC Utrecht Expertise Centre for Rare Genetic Disorders with Developmental Delays. Clinical geneticist Renske Oegema: “Every day, we see how important a diagnosis is for children with developmental delays and their parents. We are proud of this recognition of our centre with its multidisciplinary approach and innovative diagnostics, and we will continue to work on further optimising our care line.” The second is the centre of expertise for Fanconi anaemia, together with the Princess Maxima Centre.
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport grants hospitals annual recognition as centres of expertise, which is valid for five years. An ECZA must meet strict conditions, including, for example, providing education, developing guidelines, having specialist knowledge and experience, and conducting scientific research into the rare condition. It is the combination with collaboration that ensures high-quality multidisciplinary care in line with the latest medical insights.
UMC Utrecht has had its accreditation extended for its centre of expertise for congenital facial and dental abnormalities and its centre of expertise for ear, nose and throat disorders. The centre of expertise for neurovascular malformations and subarachnoid haemorrhages has had its accreditation for extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA) renewed.
Furthermore, the UMC Utrecht Centre of Expertise for Head and Neck Tumours has received additional accreditation for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and the Centre of Expertise for Neuromuscular Diseases is now also accredited for hereditary and wild-type ATTR amyloidosis.
The accreditations from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport are crucial for UMC Utrecht. They are important for improving and safeguarding the care of rare diseases now and in the future. Through the ECZAs, UMC Utrecht plays an active social role in highly complex care, knowledge and expertise. This makes it clearer for both patients and healthcare providers where they can go for help. Collaboration and the pooling of knowledge, data and expertise, both nationally and internationally, also strengthen the possibility of conducting thorough scientific research.
Would you like to apply to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to obtain recognition as a centre of expertise for one or more rare diseases? Do you have any questions, or would you like to know more about the requirements set by the VWS? Please contact Linda Hazewinkel, strategic advisor for rare diseases at the UMC (06-24601252). The procedure for 2026 is already underway. If you are interested, please register as soon as possible.
