Osakidetza will install a donated proton beam therapy machine at the Hospital Donostia in October as construction wraps up on the facility’s main structure, according to project officials. The equipment, donated to Euskadi by the Fundación Amancio Ortega, arrives amid a slight schedule adjustment that pushes the final completion of the 8,287-square-meter building to August 2027 and the first patient treatments to January 2028.
Construction Timeline and Equipment Installation at Hospital Donostia
Work on the specialized four-level treatment complex has surpassed its halfway point, with the necessary structural preparations scheduled to finish this month. Initially projected for July, the installation of the proton radiotherapy machine will now take place in October, according to project details shared by health officials. Following the upcoming delivery, the complex will undergo an extensive phase covering equipment installation, validation, commissioning, and final regulatory authorization before opening its doors to the public in January 2028.
Did You Know? The future proton therapy unit spans 8,287 square meters across four levels and includes a dedicated treatment room with built-in space reserved for a potential second installation in the future.
Advanced Cancer Treatment Capabilities and Target Population
The facility represents a global investment of 61 million euros, designed to bolster the Basque Health Service and place Euskadi at the forefront of radiotherapeutic cancer care, as stated by Unai Zulueta, Deputy Director of Healthcare Infrastructures for Osakidetza, and Txema Urraca, Head of the Clinical Management Unit for Oncology. The high-precision technology is built to deliver targeted radiation that spares healthy surrounding tissue, making it particularly valuable for delicate organs and reducing overall side effects. Urraca estimated that the specialized unit will treat an average of 230 cancer patients annually, serving a target population of millions of people across Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, Araba, Navarra, Iparralde, La Rioja, and the Castilian provinces of Burgos and Soria.
Clinical Indications for Proton Beam Radiotherapy
Proton therapy is clinically indicated for a wide array of oncological conditions where conventional radiation falls short. According to clinical guidelines outlined for the project, the technique targets pediatric central nervous system tumors, germ cell tumors, cordomas, chondrosarcomas, sarcomas, and retinoblastomas. Adult patients may also receive treatments for ocular tumors, skull base conditions, head and neck cancers, and specific soft tissue or brain malignancies. Furthermore, the technology aids complex irradiations involving patients with high-risk genetic syndromes, pregnant patients requiring minimized fetal radiation, and cases where preserving fertility is a primary clinical priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the proton therapy machine arrive at Hospital Donostia?
Osakidetza will install the machine in October, following the completion of the building’s structural work.
When will the facility begin treating patients?
The facility plans to treat its first patients in January 2028, following installation, validation, commissioning, and authorization phases.
What is the total population covered by the new unit?
The unit will provide assistance to a target population across Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, Araba, Navarra, Iparralde, La Rioja, Burgos, and Soria.
How will the integration of this high-precision technology change specialized cancer care timelines across the region?
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