Cantabria grants 66,349 euros to health associations for self-care and expert patients

The Regional Ministry of Health of Cantabria has resolved to grant subsidies for a total amount of 66,349.88 euros to non-profit associations that carry out activities of sanitary interest in the community, with special attention to patients with chronic diseases. The resolution, signed on August 24, 2026, by the Minister of Health, César Pascual Fernández, is published in the Official Gazette of Cantabria on Monday, August 31, 2026 (BOC no. 167), with reference CVE-2026-6797.

Regulatory Framework

The grant is based on Order SAN/1/2017, of January 18 (BOC no. 18, of January 26, 2017), which establishes the regulatory bases for these aids, as amended by Order SAN/3/2021, of January 28 (BOC no. 24, of February 5, 2021). The call for the 2026 financial year was published by resolution of the Minister of Health in the BOC on March 25, 2026 (BOC no. 58).

The procedure was processed with the minutes of the Evaluation Committee of June 17, 2026, its report of June 18, the minutes of the meeting of July 16, and the proposal for a final resolution from the General Directorate of Pharmacy, Humanization, and Sociosanitary Coordination of July 27, with a favorable report from the General Comptroller. The expenditure is charged to budget application 10.05.311P.482 of the Cantabria Budgets for 2026.

Beneficiaries and Programs

Among the entities receiving funding are, among others:

• ADANER Cantabria (SAIS/2026/002): physical activity and nutrition in school age, 1,737.40 €.
• Spanish Association Against Cancer (SAIS/2026/017): oncological empowerment and self-care, 2,779.84 €.
• Es Retina Association (SAIS/2026/023 and /024): Superlucía and low vision self-care programs, 2,519.23 € and 4,256.63 €.
• EII Cantabria Association (SAIS/2026/029): self-care and autonomy in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, 2,345.49 €.
• Celiac Association of Cantabria (SAIS/2026/031): expert patient training in celiac disease, 2,779.84 €.
• Chronic Pain Cantabria Association (SAIS/2026/026): “Bailando en pura vena” program, 1,911.14 €.
• A.L.C.E.R. (SAIS/2026/033): awareness of chronic kidney disease, 1,563.66 €.

Withdrawals and Dismissals

The resolution accepts the withdrawal of two applications: that of the Noonan Syndrome Association of Cantabria (SAIS/2026/007) and that of the Cantabrian Parkinson’s Association (SAIS/2026/010). Likewise, the application of the Buscando Sonrisas Association (SAIS/2026/034) is dismissed, as its project “Voluntarios en forma” was aimed at volunteers and did not prove the training of patients, family members, or caregivers required by the regulation. Furthermore, the expenditure authorization is annulled and a surplus credit of 3,650.12 euros is released.

Relevance

The call for applications reinforces the expert patient model and self-care as the pillars of chronic disease care in Cantabria, providing funding to dozens of patient and family associations. An optional appeal for reversal may be filed before the Counselor of Health within one month, or a contentious-administrative appeal may be filed within two months before the Contentious-Administrative Courts of Santander.

Source: Official Gazette of Cantabria, no. 167, August 31, 2026, section 6 (Grants and Aid), pág. 41599-41604 (official reference: CVE-2026-6797).