Portugal’s first University Health Centre will open in Loulé on May 31
Loulé will inaugurate Portugal’s first University Health Centre at the end of the month as part of its Municipal Week celebrations, running from May 26 to 31.
The brand-new Centro de Saúde Universitário de Loulé will officially open its doors on Saturday, May 31 at 5.30pm near the existing health centre on Avenida Eng. Laginha Serafim. The €7.3 million facility – co-funded by the municipal council (65%) and the Ministry of Health (35%) – is being hailed as a game-changer for primary healthcare and medical training in the municipality.
Equipped with multiple health units – including the USF Lauroé family health unit, Gentes de Loulé Community Healthcare Unit, Central Algarve Primary Care Administration, and a new Academic Unit for Primary Health Care Training and Research – the centre is part of a broader strategy to attract and retain top healthcare professionals in Loulé.
The inauguration ceremony will be the highlight of the week-long celebrations, which begin on Monday, May 26 when the Loulé Municipal Museum will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the local castle, starting at 5.30pm. Half an hour later, the local council will honour top-performing local businesses in a ceremony recognizing PME Líder and PME Excelência companies across sectors at the Espírito Santo Convent.
Festivities continue the following day (May 27) at the convent with a talk on the importance of certification for tourist destinations, scheduled for 2pm.
On May 28, the municipality will pay tribute to municipal employees with 25 and 35 years of service, followed on May 29 by the celebrations of Loulé’s Municipal Day. Morning ceremonies will include flag-raising, a band performance, and a civic ceremony with city leaders, including Mayor Vítor Aleixo, who will reflect on his 12-year tenure. That same morning, writer Helder Macedo will receive the APE/Loulé Grand Prize for Chronicle and Literary Works for his book “Pretextos.” The afternoon belongs to the town of Salir, which will host the beloved Festa da Espiga — a rural celebration featuring an ethnographic parade, crafts, food, folk music, and local traditions.
Saturday’s festivities will also see Vilamoura unveil Avenida Stefano Saviotti, a new avenue named in honour of the late hotelier and founder of the Dom Pedro Group. Later in Loulé, a Medal Ceremony will recognize 19 individuals and institutions for contributions to local life, with two Medalhas de Honra, ten Gold, and seven Silver awards handed out.
And finally, all eyes will turn to the new University Health Centre’s inauguration on Saturday, May 31, at 5.30pm
Throughout the week, all sports facilities in Loulé will be open to the public for free, encouraging residents to stay active and take part in the celebrations.
