Health Budget Priorities in the Valencian Community 2024

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Health receives a record share in the 2024 Generalitat budget

Health remains the department with the largest slice of the regional budget, boasting 8.504 billion euros for 2024. The allocation marks a 2.9% rise over the previous year and stands as the highest in the history of the Community’s finances. The figures come from the government program presented by the PP-Vox coalition, reflecting a clear priority given to health spending within the non-fiscal budget. The president’s accounts, led by Carlos Mazón, emphasize strengthening Primary Care and directing significant resources to that sector, consuming about a third of the department’s total funds.

Personal spending is one of the largest components of the budget. The Ministry plans to allocate 4.075 billion to staff salaries, an increase of 10.4% from the current year. Part of the explanation notes that the Dénia and Manises reversals will add roughly 3,000 new positions to the payroll. Mental health policies also see a boost, rising by 21 million to 142.9 million, enabling a nationwide expansion of the mental health network within the Valencian Community.

“We lead in mental health disorders, yet we still face resource gaps”

Actual planned investments in healthcare infrastructure across the community total 445 million euros, including 331.6 million for hospital care and 114 million for Primary Care. The health sector consistently records the largest budgets among regional programs, with Health absorbing almost one in three euros of public investment in the Community as expenditures continue to grow post-pandemic. The 2024 figure of 8.504 billion reflects sustained expansion across the system.

The last Government of Botànic reports 413 million allocated to two major headings, signaling regional growth in health spending. In the province, funding reached 165 million, accounting for about 40 percent of total expenditure on hospitals and health centers, a notable increase compared with prior years.

As of 2024, infrastructure spending remains uneven, with 124 million already directed to completed works and 90 million tied to hospital or private care projects. The remaining 34 million covers public health centers. Officials note that multi-year initiatives may be detailed in stages, while some projects await planning and economic definition. Minister Marciano Gómez is expected to outline the full plan in the Cortes hearing on the 7th.

4.075 MILLION

Allocated for staff salaries

Health stands out as one of the fastest-growing departments, up 10.4%, driven in part by the staff increases resulting from the Dénia and Manises reorganizations. The total workforce impacted by these changes is around 3,000 positions.

In Orihuela Hospital, 26.4 million is earmarked for expanding the Specialist Comprehensive Outpatient Unit, while 24.2 million funds are set aside for private care center reforms in the Marina Baixa region. Elche’s health region is slated to receive 15 million for similar upgrades, supporting a broader modernization of care networks.

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Sant Joan Hospital will dedicate 4.2 million to Emergency and Oncology day hospital services and another 4.2 million to reform the department’s specialized care centers. Additionally, 3.7 million is allocated to constructing a new building for the Health Research Institute (Isabial) within the Alicante Hospital complex.

Healthcare invests 9.4 million in the new Isabial building in Alicante

Three million is assigned to this center, with 2.3 million directed to New Emergencies. Funding also supports a new outpatient building at Elda Hospital and the reform of area centers, including the Torrevieja Hospital expansion and improvements in the Alcoy region, along with two million for the La Pedrera Mental Health Hospital in Dénia.

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Health centers

New regional budgets allocate funds for three long-awaited health centers: Alicante PAU 2 (9.3 million), Garbinet (4.7 million, in operation since June), and La Condomina (1.7 million).

Garbinet health center set to serve 20,000 patients

In addition, 3.5 million is allocated for the Rincón de Loix health center in Benidorm and nearly 2 million for Ernest Lluch in Elche. Funding also supports new health centers in Redován, Algorfa, Pedreguer, Castalla, and Muchavista (El Campello). Energy efficiency upgrades at Petrer II and the health center on Gerona Street in Alicante receive 2.3 million, while renovations will also target Orihuela Costa, El Campello, Albatera, Elche-San Fermín, Onil, and Guardamar.

142.9 MILLION

Increased mental health funding

With rising demand for mental health services, the regional government has increased long- and medium-term care funding by 17%, moving the program from 122 million to 142.9 million. About 15.5 million is directed toward drug dependency programs, with additional targeted investments for related needs.

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