The government of Pedro Sánchez allocated 2.6 million euros to the rehabilitation of the Spanish hospital in Tangier, managed in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities. The project for this center was commissioned in 1939 by the Spanish high commissioner at the time, Juan Luis Beigbeder.
During the meeting of the Council of Ministers held last Tuesday, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs set itself the goal of urgently carrying out “the works and services necessary for the structural intervention” at the hospital, at a cost of 2 689,588 euros (VAT included).
According to the Madrid government, construction activity has been reconverted, due to the gradual decline of the Spanish population in the region. Currently, the place serves as a retirement home for Spanish citizens and a day health center.
Furthermore, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs described a “very poor state of maintenance, in addition to the seismic risk”, which makes the building “dangerous” and a threat to security. On November 18, 2024, it was agreed to declare an emergency to accelerate the work procedures for the “demolition of the south wing and the inclusion of security measures”, as well as the technical management, in accordance with the provisions of the public procurement law.
On December 9, 2024, after receiving a positive report from the State Bar, the employment contract was signed with GTS Electronica SL, with an execution period of 18 months, according to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-As part of the ongoing cooperation between Spain and Morocco, charity concerts were organized at the Spanish Hospital in Tangier, as part of the International Choir Festival. Last March, a few months after his appointment, the Spanish ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda, visited these facilities.
The Spanish Hospital of Tangier was designed by civil engineer José Ochoa in 1939. Studies began the same year and ended in 1940, when Tangier was an international city. Under Spanish occupation, High Commissioner Carlos Asensio decided to build the hospital based on the project developed by Ochoa. The work was completed in 1950.
In 1954, King Juan Carlos I underwent surgery there. After Morocco’s independence, the hospital was transformed into a retirement home in 1996, but collaboration with Spain for its use continues to this day.
