In recent years, cloud computing has emerged not just as a technology trend, but as a fundamental pillar for digital transformation—especially in healthcare. With the rising complexity of data-driven healthcare ecosystems and the need for secure, scalable solutions, cloud technologies are no longer optional; they are essential. ELADAIS, an initiative under the UNICO I+D CLOUD programme, is a great  example of how cloud infrastructure is being leveraged to create smarter, more resilient, and patient-centred healthcare solutions.

Why cloud computing matters in healthcare

Cloud computing offers unparalleled advantages for healthcare systems grappling with rising demand, ageing populations, and vast volumes of sensitive patient data. According to the European Commission the future of health data sharing and analysis lies in creating interoperable, cloud-native infrastructures that enable secure and controlled access across borders. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) initiative is built around this very premise, empowering citizens and clinicians alike to benefit from timely, accurate, and ethically managed data.

From storing electronic health records (EHRs) and facilitating telemedicine, to powering AI-driven diagnostics and advanced research, the cloud ensures high availability, rapid scalability, and real-time data access—while maintaining rigorous data protection standards in line with GDPR.

ELADAIS: Built for the cloud, built for impact

ELADAIS (Extracción, Almacenamiento y Análisis de Datos con Alto Impacto Social) is designed from the ground up to harness the power of cloud technologies. Developed by the Biomedical Technology Centre of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) in collaboration with Minsait , BluSpecs, TICSmart, and key Spanish hospitals such as Hospital Infanta Leonor and Hospital La Paz, ELADAIS exemplifies the integration of cutting-edge cloud computing into real-world healthcare challenges.

At its core, ELADAIS is developing a decentralised, secure platform to manage and analyse health data for secondary use—such as research and clinical innovation. Using federated data models, ELADAIS ensures that sensitive patient information never leaves the originating institution, instead allowing secure, local computation and aggregated insight generation.  This architecture is only possible with robust cloud infrastructure supporting distributed systems, privacy-preserving AI, and continuous access to computing resources.

From chronic care to AI integration

Two ongoing pilot projects within ELADAIS highlight the vital role of cloud computing:

• At Hospital Infanta Leonor, a web-based application is being developed to provide chronic patients with easy access to their health records and appointments via secure API integration.
• At Hospital La Paz, cloud-powered AI is being used to extract structured data from decades of unstructured HIV patient records, replacing legacy systems with modern, scalable solutions.

These efforts not only improve clinical workflows and patient experiences but also demonstrate how the elasticity and reliability of cloud platforms accelerate deployment and innovation.

Cloud as a foundation for resilience and competitiveness

ELADAIS is not just a technical project—it is a national effort to build digital sovereignty and long-term competitiveness in the healthcare sector. Supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, the initiative aligns with the strategic goals of the Spanish government to foster innovation ecosystems and future-proof digital infrastructure. By enabling faster, more accurate data analysis and fostering collaboration between institutions, ELADAIS is building the digital backbone needed for sustainable healthcare delivery.

A smarter, safer healthcare future

As healthcare continues to evolve, the cloud will remain a central enabler of personalised medicine, advanced analytics, and collaborative research. ELADAIS stands at the intersection of this transformation, demonstrating how the smart use of cloud technology can enhance patient care, empower professionals, and open new frontiers in medical discovery.

With continued collaboration, a strong commitment to privacy, and scalable digital foundations, ELADAIS is not only keeping pace with change—it’s helping lead it.