Andalucía launches virtual health card to transform patient care

Andalucía is set to undergo a digital healthcare revolution with the launch of the Virtual Health Card, a new tool designed to transform how citizens interact with the regional health service (SAS).

Presented today by the regional minister for health, Antonio Sanz, alongside the president of the Andalusian Council of Pharmacies, Antonio Mingorance, the digital card will be officially available for smartphones and tablets starting 26 March.

"Today, Andalucía takes a giant leap forward and once again becomes a pioneer in Spain," Sanz stated during the presentation at a local pharmacy in Seville.

The virtual card will be accessible through the Salud Andalucía and ClicSalud+ apps. It features a dynamic high-security QR code, allowing patients to identify themselves at any healthcare centre or pharmacy across the region.

One of the most practical updates is aimed at parents, who will now be able to store their children’s digital health cards on their own devices. While the physical card will remain valid and compatible, the minister described the digital version as the new "master key" to public healthcare.

The initiative is part of a broader €316 million Digital Health Strategy 2030. By automating bureaucratic tasks, the government aims to reduce the "paperwork burden" for doctors and nurses, allowing them more time for direct patient care.

To ensure the transition does not exclude older generations, the government will use its network of 760 "Puntos Vuela" centres to provide digital training.

Sanz concluded by highlighting that Andalucía is already integrating cutting-edge technology, such as Artificial Intelligence for breast cancer screening and advanced Gamma Knife surgery. "The healthcare of the future will be increasingly digital, connected, and focused on people's needs," he said.