Residents of the Santa Ana residential district in Cartagena are set to see one of their long-standing demands realised as work begins on expanding the local medical facility into a full health centre. The works, contracted to Tecopsa, have started on the site with the first loads of materials and prefabricated cabins already in place.

Officials say the project was awarded by Murcia’s Health Department in September and is due to run for around fourteen months. The total investment stands at €4,610,733.92, VAT included, which is about 16% below the original bid. The financing is organised on a biannual basis, with €835,884 promised this year and €2,974,639.70 next year.

Delays earlier in September occurred because the department had to tender separately for construction management, safety and health oversight. The current Santa Ana clinic provides four family medicine posts, two paediatricians and four nurses, and previously reported a catchment population of nearly 20,000. Local officials say the expansion will boost capacity to meet growing demand in the neighbourhood.

The project forms part of broader plans to strengthen primary care services in Cartagena, improving access and quality of care for residents in Santa Ana and surrounding areas.