Andorra SAAS Reports 11.8% Rise in Outpatient Consultations and Key Expansions in 2025

The Servei Andorrà d’Atenció Sanitària (SAAS) reported increased healthcare activity across multiple areas in 2025, according to its annual report. Outpatient consultations by salaried SAAS physicians rose 11.8% to 55,601 from 49,727 the previous year, while those by self-employed professionals climbed to 25,800 from 22,908. Surgical interventions totaled 5,951, up 2.4% from 5,811 in 2024, including 3,339 major ambulatory procedures and 2,612 requiring hospital admission.

Diagnostic services also expanded. Imaging performed 55,202 examinations, a 3.3% increase from 53,459. The clinical laboratory handled 121,739 requests, up 7.9%, and pathology studies reached 22,845, a 17.5% rise from 19,442. Births at Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Hospital numbered 476, 3.7% higher than the 459 recorded in 2024. The hospital conducted 5,067 haemodialysis sessions for 56 patients and dispensed 282,050 units of high-cost medications.

Emergency visits at the hospital's main service stood at 40,116, down from 42,467 in 2024, with additional 7,612 paediatric cases, 890 obstetric consultations, and 1,919 at Pas de la Casa, for a total exceeding 50,500. Hospital admissions fell to 6,087 from 8,385, but SAAS attributed this to a change in the IT system that no longer counts major ambulatory surgeries as admissions. Average hospital stays consequently lengthened to 5.9 days from 3.96. Conventional bed occupancy averaged 79.5%, while the intensive care unit managed 659 admissions at 53.3% occupancy.

Primary care centres saw a 4.74% activity increase, with 136,039 visits serving 42.14% of the population. A new centre opened in Canillo, boosting nursing visits by 22.9%.

Key developments included the launch of a community centre for mental health and addictions at the Ròdol building in Escaldes-Engordany, separating outpatient from inpatient care. A breast pathology unit enabled 43 cancer surgeries locally, previously referred abroad, supported by specialist Martín Espinosa and a new tumour tracer. The cornea donation programme, backed by the Health Ministry, yielded about 15 extractions in under six months.

SAAS ended 2025 with 1,345 staff, equivalent to 1,171 full-time positions, after approving a new collective agreement endorsed by 90% of workers. It featured performance-based management, a pension plan, and compressed workweeks. A staff survey showed 95% felt recognised and 92% valued career opportunities. The budget rose to €113.8 million from €105 million.

SAAS Director General Meritxell Cosan highlighted the mental health centre, breast unit, and cornea programme as major milestones consolidating specialised services.