The EUREGHA General Assembly brings together European health authorities in Bilbao
The meeting, held on 28 and 29 May at Biobizkaia, brought together around 40 representatives from different European regions.
On 28 and 29 May, the IIS Biobizkaia facilities (Bilbao) hosted the 2026 General Assembly of the European network EUREGHA (European Regional and Local Health Authorities), a meeting that brought together around 40 representatives from different European regions to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in the field of health.
The EUREGHA General Assembly, the only European network that primarily represents local and regional health authorities, has established itself as a key forum for knowledge exchange and cooperation between regions committed to improving their healthcare systems.
The event was co-chaired by the Director of Innovation and Health Research for the Basque Government, Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea, and featured a welcome address by the Director of Health Transformation, Planning and Digitalisation, Inés Gallego . Representing Biosistemak were the Scientific Director, Ane Fullaondo, and the researcher and project manager, Yhasmine Hamu, thus reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to international collaboration and the strengthening of healthcare systems through innovation and evidence.
A showcase for the Basque health ecosystem
The Assembly provided an opportunity to share the main pillars of the Basque healthcare system, recognised for its ability to integrate healthcare, research and innovation.
On the first day, participants visited the Biobizkaia Institute and Cruces University Hospital and gained first-hand insight into cutting-edge initiatives in fields such as robotics and virtual reality applied to rehabilitation, digital health and advanced therapies.
On the second day, the working sessions focused on strategic issues for the network’s future, such as the incorporation of new members and the definition of priorities for the 2026–2030 period. Examples of regional practices and collaborative initiatives were also presented, covering innovation in health services, community prevention, cooperation in mental health and the use of artificial intelligence.
Review of activities and strategic priorities
During the Assembly, a summary of EUREGHA’s activities in 2025 was also presented, highlighting the network’s growth, the recruitment of new members and the promotion of initiatives in areas such as digital transformation, cancer and cross-border cooperation.
Key milestones include the development of European projects in areas such as the sustainability of the healthcare system, cancer care and early detection, as well as collaboration with European institutions and strategic networks to advance health policies at European level. Furthermore, the work of the thematic working groups and the production of regional factsheets were highlighted, as these enable the sharing of priorities, best practices and opportunities for collaboration between regions.
