Cartagena’s award-winning public healthcare transforms quality of life for locals and expats

Cartagena has earned recognition as one of the top ten Spanish cities with the best quality of life, due to the exceptional quality of its local public healthcare system, according to a recent ranking by Madrid Capital Mundial.

A sophisticated healthcare network serving the community

The ranking praised Cartagena’s sophisticated healthcare network, which serves approximately 280,000 residents and includes the Santa Lucia and Santa Maria del Rosell University General Hospitals, as well as 16 health centres, 45 primary care clinics, and specialised mental health and social care facilities.

Additionally, Cartagena’s team of nearly 5,000 professionals spans family medicine, community nursing, research, and support staff, allowing the area to offer close, safe, personalised, and most importantly, high-quality care.

Regional leadership in advanced oncology and specialised medicine

Cartagena boasts one of the broadest service scopes in the entire Region of Murcia’s public health system, covering nearly all medical specialties. The system is a regional leader in oncology, featuring three state-of-the-art linear accelerators for advanced radiotherapy. Additionally, it boasts facilities that help to provide early diagnosis, metabolic monitoring, and targeted therapies for complex oncological, neurological, and cardiac conditions.

This system allows the vast majority of patients to be treated within their own municipality, eliminating the need for travel in emergencies and delicate health situations. Cartagena’s healthcare is also known to frequently treat patients from neighbouring municipalities and areas.

Cartagena, an attractive destination for international expats in Spain

This robust healthcare network has also made Cartagena an increasingly attractive destination for the growing community of international expats settling in Spain. For foreign residents, the accessibility, high concentration of medical specialties, and advanced infrastructure in Health Area II offer incredible peace of mind. Knowing that world-class, comprehensive medical treatment is available right within their own municipality is a decisive factor for expatriates choosing Cartagena as their long-term home in the Mediterranean.

Supported by an accessible system focused on disease prevention and chronic condition monitoring, Cartagena continues to elevate its standards, cementing its reputation as a premier place to live and receive healthcare.