Health

Almeria hippotherapy – Equine therapy supports mental health patients

Published November 10, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: Torrecárdenas University Hospital in Almeria renews its hippotherapy program, offering horse-assisted therapy to patients with severe mental disorders, in collaboration with the City Council and the Indaliana School of Equestrian Art.

Almeria hippotherapy – Equine therapy supports mental health patients

The Torrecárdenas University Hospital, through its Mental Health Unit, has launched its Hippotherapy Program for another year, aimed at patients with severe mental disorders. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Almeria City Council through the Municipal Sports Board, reinforcing a joint commitment to improving community wellbeing.

Therapy through connection with horses

Patients from both the Mental Health Day Hospital and the Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (located at the Bola Azul Peripheral Specialty Center) benefit from sessions of equine-assisted activity at the Indaliana School of Equestrian Art in Pechina. The sessions use the interaction between patient and horse to promote relaxation, confidence, and motor coordination.

Physical, emotional and psychological benefits

Hippotherapy is a comprehensive intervention that combines rhythmic movement, the warmth of the horse, and emotional connection to produce multiple therapeutic benefits. It helps improve muscle tone, balance, coordination, concentration, and self-esteem. It also enhances social skills and confidence, providing a safe and supportive environment where patients can reconnect with themselves and others.

Institutional cooperation and shared goals

The management of Torrecárdenas Hospital expressed gratitude to the Almeria City Council for its active participation. “Shared responsibility and cooperation between public institutions are fundamental to generating opportunities that directly benefit mental health,” the hospital’s Mental Health Unit stated. This collaboration highlights the importance of building networks that improve the quality of life for patients and promote social inclusion.

For more information about the program or similar initiatives, visit the official websites of the Torrecárdenas University Hospital and the Almeria City Council.

For more updates on health and wellbeing in the province, visit our Health category.

Community

Bahía de Almería Health Centre Opens in Almeria

Published November 17, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: A new outpatient, diagnostic and treatment centre has opened in Almeria, expanding services and reducing pressure on Torrecárdenas Hospital.

New ‘Bahía de Almería’ Consultation and Diagnostic Centre opens in the capital

The province has taken another step forward in healthcare accessibility with the opening of the new Centro de Consultas, Diagnóstico y Tratamiento “Bahía de Almería”, a modern outpatient facility attached to the Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas.

The centre has started operating with several specialist consultation rooms and will progressively expand to a total of 133 consultation areas, new day-hospital units, and modern diagnostic services including radiology, CT and MRI. According to the regional health department, the goal is to shorten waiting times and improve access to specialist care for residents across the province.

Located in the capital’s new hospital district, the building is part of a wider investment plan to modernise healthcare infrastructure in Almeria.

For more updates from across the province, visit our Health category.

Almeria News

Almería Loses 121 Nurses in a Year, Raising Healthcare Concerns

Almería’s healthcare system faces serious challenges after losing 121 nurses in the past year alone.
Health unions and medical associations have raised alarms about the growing shortage, warning that it could impact patient care across the province.

Many nurses have left in search of better working conditions and higher salaries elsewhere in Spain or abroad.
Hospitals and clinics in Almería are now struggling to fill vacancies, leading to longer wait times and increased pressure on remaining staff.

Authorities are being urged to take immediate action to improve contracts, salaries, and working conditions to retain healthcare professionals and ensure the sustainability of the system.

Almeria News

Almería Leads the Way in HPV Vaccination Campaigns

Almería has become a leading example in Spain’s efforts to combat HPV-related cancers, thanks to its high vaccination rates.
Local health authorities report a significant increase in the number of adolescents receiving the vaccine, especially among young girls and, more recently, boys.

The success of the campaign is attributed to targeted school programs, community outreach, and public health initiatives.
Medical professionals stress that early vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent several types of cancer linked to the human papillomavirus.

Almería’s approach is now being studied as a model for other provinces aiming to boost their own vaccination efforts.