Granada has formally presented its candidacy to host Spain’s new National Public Health Agency, under the motto “Granada is public health”, positioning the city as a leading hub for public health intelligence, innovation and capacity‑building.
The proposal offers an immediate start of operations in a provisional headquarters at the Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP), followed by a definitive move to the refurbished former San Cecilio Clinical Hospital, where up to 300 highly qualified professionals would work in over 6,000 square metres of dedicated space.
The bid underlines Granada’s mature and densely interconnected ecosystem, which brings together the University of Granada, the Biosanitary Research Institute, the Health Technology Park, CSIC institutes, the Andalusian public health biobank and a wide network of university hospitals and primary care centres, all strongly oriented towards evidence‑informed policy and practice.
A central asset is EASP itself, with more than 40 years of experience and over 130 professionals working on surveillance, risk assessment and communication, emergency preparedness, health equity, social determinants, One Health and global health, in close collaboration with European, Latin American and Mediterranean partners. This long‑standing expertise in training, applied research and international cooperation aligns closely with the core missions envisaged for the National Public Health Agency and offers immediate synergies with ASPHER’s priorities.
The candidacy also highlights Granada’s quality of life, accessibility and support measures for staff mobility, including assistance for professional integration, family relocation and access to education, health and social services, aiming to create an attractive and sustainable environment for the future workforce of the Agency.
Victor de Haro
Andalusian School of Public Health