Andalucia has secured €22.7million in European funding for four major healthcare innovation projects.
They include the use of artificial intelligence to improve cancer treatment and new technology aimed at making surgery more efficient.
The announcement came as the regional government unveiled its 2026-2027 Health Research and Innovation Strategy, backed by a total investment of €102million.
Acting Health Minister Antonio Sanz said the number of biomedical researchers in Andalucia has increased by 53% over the past seven years, rising from 6,110 in 2019 to 9,319 in 2026.
The region now has 553 research groups and more than 6,000 active clinical studies, representing increases of 44% and 47% respectively since 2019.
Sanz said the new strategy is designed to strengthen Andalucia’s position as a national and international leader in medical research while accelerating the adoption of new treatments, digital technologies and advanced therapies.
The four newly funded projects will receive €22.7million, with 85% of the funding coming from the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and the remaining 15% provided by Andalucia’s public health service.
One project, called Surgia, will develop simulation and planning technology to improve the management of operating theatres across Andalucia’s public hospitals.
Officials say it could help reduce waiting lists, improve the use of surgical facilities and make better use of healthcare resources.
A second initiative, Oraculo, will use AI to combine clinical information, medical imaging and genetic data to improve the diagnosis and treatment of certain cancers.
Another project, Prisma, focuses on improving the protection, management and reuse of healthcare data to support future research and innovation.
The fourth programme, PIAPPA, aims to improve maternity, newborn and children’s healthcare through a series of innovation projects designed to enhance early intervention, continuity of care and specialist treatment for mothers and children.
Sanz said investment in research is vital to tackling major healthcare challenges including an ageing population, chronic illnesses, mental health and the digital transformation of the public health system.
He also highlighted Andalucia’s growing reputation in health research, noting that the region now has five health research institutes accredited by Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute and has become the first autonomous community to formally establish career pathways for clinician-researchers, including both doctors and nurses.
The strategy also includes measures to strengthen biomedical research careers, including almost €19 million to recruit 154 postdoctoral researchers, alongside further investment in primary healthcare research and digital health innovation.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
