The Canary Islands public healthcare system is taking a significant step forward in the fight against cancer with the awarding of the construction works for the new advanced therapy building at Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín Hospital. This infrastructure, awarded to the construction company Copasa S.L.U. for 22.6 million euros, represents a strategic milestone for the island.

This project, managed by the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), has an execution period of 24.5 months, and the facilities are expected to be fully operational by August 2028. Construction is set to begin this July, as announced by the Ministry of Health.

The future building will house a proton therapy unit, one of the most advanced and precise technologies for cancer treatment, and a cyclotron for the in-house production of radiopharmaceuticals. This will enable the Canary Islands to cease relying on supplies from mainland Spain and have these essential materials autonomously.

Proton therapy uses protons instead of X-rays, allowing for more precise targeting of radiation onto the tumor and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This technique is particularly beneficial for pediatric patients and those with long-term survival prospects. Currently, Spain has few operational proton therapy units, and none yet belong to the public healthcare system. The implementation in the Canary Islands is part of a coordinated plan with the Ministry of Health and other autonomous communities, supported by a donation from the Amancio Ortega Foundation.

The new building will be erected on a 4,300 square meter plot in the southwest corner of the hospital, featuring three above-ground floors and two basement levels. One of these levels will house the cyclotron, equipped with specific protection and safety systems. The contract also includes hydraulic works to improve the channeling of an existing ravine in the area through a new bypass.

According to the SCS's projected timeline, the proton therapy bunker should be completed by July 2027, followed by the installation of technological equipment starting in September of that year, with the aim of completing the entire complex by the summer of 2028. The Canary Islands Health Service aims for the Doctor Negrín Hospital to become a national benchmark in nuclear medicine, advanced diagnostics, and cutting-edge oncological treatments.