The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has secured funding to lead a European project aimed at improving healthcare and social care services in rural and hard-to-reach areas. This initiative, known as the Intelligent Digital Twin (IDT)-SAM, has a budget of 1.96 million euros, of which 1.47 million come from FEDER funds.
The project, which will be piloted locally in the municipality of Penagos, involves partners from Spain, France, and Portugal, and is part of the Interreg Sudoe cross-border cooperation programme, which seeks to provide common solutions to the territories of southwest Europe.
A strategic leadership for Cantabria
For IDIVAL, leading this project represents not only important recognition of its management capacity and international standing but also an opportunity to position Cantabria as a benchmark in integrated care for vulnerable populations in rural settings.
In this regard, the rural health centre in Penagos, coordinated by Dr. Talledo — a primary care physician from the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), will serve as one of the pilot sites where the SAM model will be deployed to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable individuals.
A diverse and specialised consortium
The project brings together 19 partners, including beneficiaries and associated entities, from the fields of health research, public administration, the scientific system, NGOs, and social care organisations. Among them are leading centres such as the University of Cantabria, the Aragon Health Research Institute (IISA), IBIMA-FIMABIS in Andalusia, and the Portuguese organisation AIDFM.
In addition, public administrations at regional and municipal levels are participating, such as the Regional Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria, the Communauté de communes du Pays de Nay (France), and the Câmara Municipal de Pinhel (Portugal), among others.
IDIVAL: a reference in health and social care innovation
The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute is an accredited centre by the Carlos III Health Institute and has a strong track record in biomedical and social care innovation. Thanks to its agreement with the Regional Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria, IDIVAL is able to implement projects through the Cantabrian Health Service, acting as a healthcare R&D executing agency in the region.
The approval of this project further strengthens its position in the transformation of the health and social care model in rural settings, combining care, research, and applied innovation.
Photo caption: María Luisa Sámano, IDIVAL’s European Project Officer, presents the SAM project at the Government of Cantabria alongside the Regional Minister of Economy, Finance, Autonomous Financing and European Funds, Luis Ángel Agüeros.
