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Bilbao, May 7, 2026
Euskalduna Bilbao is hosting over 1,500 specialists this week for the 52nd National Congress of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), held at the Palace from May 5th to 8th. The gathering establishes Bilbao as a key benchmark for clinical and scientific debate in a high-prevalence healthcare field: rheumatic diseases affect 1 in 4 adults in Spain, according to data released during the congress.
Context and Structural Challenges
The event arrives at a time when experts are highlighting structural challenges for the healthcare system: an increase in rheumatic pathologies, a shortage of specialists, and territorial inequalities in access to rheumatological care, alongside the need to improve early diagnosis for certain diseases.
In parallel, the congress focuses on advances that are already transforming clinical management, including:
Sustainability and Awareness
Beyond the scientific program, the meeting incorporates awareness and sustainability initiatives. These include the launch of the “Siísmo” campaign—aimed at increasing the visibility of immune-mediated diseases and combating stigmas—and an environmental initiative involving the planting of a forest in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. This action, carried out in collaboration with Impredecible Basoa, serves as a carbon offset measure for the attendees' travel.
Academic and Economic Impact
On an academic level, the congress showcases a significant volume of scientific activity, featuring more than 536 posters and 36 oral communications, as well as sessions focused on targeted therapies, advanced therapies, and real-world clinical practice with the participation of allied scientific societies.
With this event, Euskalduna Bilbao reinforces its role as a premier infrastructure for major professional congresses. This week, the Palace once again demonstrates Bilbao's capacity to host highly specialized meetings, directly impacting the city's positioning as a MICE destination and boosting the economic activity associated with conference tourism.
