The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar López, has announced the launch of the National Health Data Space (ENDS) that will allow the sharing and use of health data with maximum guarantees of privacy, security and sovereignty. "Data saves lives and that is why it is an honor to launch here today the National Health Data Space, a public infrastructure that will undoubtedly revolutionize Spanish health. Spain is doing its part with this transformative and vital project. That’s why the government has allocated EUR 70 million to build this infrastructure that allows data to be accessed with privacy and security to improve research, healthcare and prevention.”
Óscar López made this announcement during the inauguration of the I National Meeting of Data Spaces, organized by the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence through the General Directorate of Data. The minister has participated in a dialogue with the researcher and commissioner of the PERTE for Avant-garde Health, Raquel Yotti. The day brings together institutional representatives, beneficiary companies, autonomous communities and research centers. The closure will be carried out by the Minister of Health, Mónica García.
The National Health Data Space is articulated as a network of independent platforms, including autonomous health systems, that connect to each other through common protocols for interacting and exchanging data. "This is a country project, an example of public-private collaboration and collaboration between administrations. If we asked citizens for what purposes they would give up their data, I’m sure they would say, to make progress, for medical research and the improvement of the healthcare system,” Lopez said.
Under the leadership of the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Public Service, the initiative has the key participation of the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities that, as the ultimate managers of health data, have received an investment of 28 million euros for the technological adaptation of their systems.
Its mission is to create an interoperable and coordinated ecosystem that encourages the secondary use of health data so that health professionals, researchers and companies can access large volumes of data under strict ethical and safety standards, in order to discover patterns and treatments that improve the health system. "This National Health Data Space will transform information into medical innovation because it will make our health system constantly learn and improve with its own data," said the minister.
This system will allow the responsible use of data for purposes of public interest such as research, health planning and the improvement of services, always with full respect for the protection of information and the rights of citizens. "We are taking a very important step today and I think projects like this are worth it," he said.
Beyond providing a secure environment for high-quality data, the infrastructure deploys advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence tools. In addition, it guarantees a high capacity to perform numerous operations or calculations, which allows to accelerate biomedical research and technological innovation. "In short, it is a question of converting digital bureaucracy into an applied clinic, taking advantage of large volumes of data to study use cases on the consumption of antibiotics, the effects of COPD or the control of communicable diseases," explained Óscar López.
The ENDS not only places Spain in a leading position within the future European Health Data Area (EEDS), but also ensures that the reuse of data is always carried out protecting the fundamental rights of people. "This project is not only incredibly valuable in terms of economic data but also in terms of health. Spain has decided to be a leader and leader, and the possibilities we have, I believe, are infinite. We have all the political will, the resources and the best opportunities to take the lead in Europe and for this Spanish project to escalate at European level", he stressed.
