Casa OAFI opens its doors in Sant Aniol de Finestres to make La Garrotxa a benchmark in osteoarticular health

The OAFI Foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary with the inauguration of a space dedicated to transforming prevention and osteoarticular health by connecting health, patients, research and the territory, at an event closed by the President of the Parliament of Catalonia, the M. H. Mr Josep Rull i Andreu

Girona, 28 September 2026. The International Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis Foundation, OAFI, inaugurated Casa OAFI this Saturday in Sant Esteve de Llémena (La Garrotxa), at an event that brought together patients, healthcare professionals, researchers and institutional representatives. The inauguration, which coincides with the Foundation’s tenth anniversary, marks a new step in OAFI’s commitment to placing the patient at the centre of decisions about their health.
This project has the support of the Diputació de Girona, the Consell Comarcal de la Garrotxa and the Ajuntament de Sant Aniol de Finestres.

The event, hosted by communicator and radio presenter Txe Arana, included the participation of the President of the Diputació de Girona, the Il·lm. Mr Miquel Noguer; the President of the Consell Comarcal de la Garrotxa, the Il·lm. Mr Albert Danés; the President and founder of OAFI, Dr Josep Vergés; the Director of OAFI’s Patients and Volunteering Area, Ms Maria Teresa Vergés; the social mentoring expert Ms Soraya Sánchez; the physician and former Minister of Health, Dr Marina Geli; and the Head of Medical Services at Atlético de Madrid, Dr José María Villalón.

The closing session was led by the President of the Parliament of Catalonia, the M. H. Mr Josep Rull i Andreu, who also unveiled the inaugural plaque. However, the event included patient testimonials, a performance by the Coral Retorn Planenc and a visit to the Casa OAFI facilities.

“Ten years ago, we were born with the conviction that the patient should not merely be the recipient of treatment, but the protagonist of their own health. Casa OAFI makes this idea a reality: a house with its door open to everyone, where patients, professionals, researchers and institutions work together to transform osteoarticular diseases into osteoarticular health,” said Dr Josep Vergés during his speech.

A four-century-old rectory, open to everyone

Casa OAFI was created as a space where patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, public administrations, companies and the territory can come together, share knowledge and develop new forms of prevention, training, research and support in osteoarticular health.

Casa OAFI occupies the former rectory of Sant Esteve de Llémena, a stone building more than four centuries old surrounded by the natural environment of the Vall de Llémena (La Garrotxa). For generations, the house, which welcomed local residents and visitors, now recovers this vocation with a new purpose: to be a space open to everyone who wants to improve osteoarticular health, where the patient is not only listened to, but also participates in building the solutions.

The project is based on the idea that an important part of health is built long before entering a consultation: movement, nutrition, knowledge, the environment, social relationships and people’s ability to make informed decisions about their own health are a fundamental part of prevention and well-being. Casa OAFI aims to bring this vision into a physical space and turn it into programmes, activities and experiences.

Three stone arches, three pillars of activity

Casa OAFI’s activity is structured around three pillars, which also refer to the three arches that support the rectory: research, which lays the foundations for progress in osteoarticular health through studies, publications and research projects; training, which provides patients, companies and specialists with tools to understand, decide and take better care of themselves; and experiences, which provide well-being through physical activity, workshops and support groups in a natural environment that invites people to stop, connect and move.

In addition, the space will offer a charitable clinic service led by Dr Josep Vergés to monitor the osteoarticular health of people in the territory, while also promoting a territorial health and well-being network. The choice of the Vall de Llémena responds to this same desire to connect scientific knowledge and everyday life, prevention and territory, innovation and people’s needs.

Ten years with patients at the centre

Osteoarticular conditions, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and sarcopenia, affect more than 20 million people in Spain and more than 2 million in Catalonia. They are chronic diseases that are often detected late and mainly affect women: women account for 7 out of 10 cases of osteoarthritis and 8 out of 10 cases of osteoporosis.

OAFI was founded in 2016 on the principle that people living with an osteoarticular disease cannot simply be recipients of a diagnosis or treatment, but must have knowledge, a voice and the capacity to act.

Over this decade, the Foundation has developed information, training, prevention, support and research initiatives around osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, pain, mobility, nutrition and exercise, with particular attention to the impact of osteoarticular conditions on women and older people. Casa OAFI now opens a new stage to bring this work to the territory.

About OAFI

Osteoarthritis Foundation International (OAFI) is the world’s first and only non-profit foundation dedicated exclusively to people suffering from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other osteoarticular conditions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Barcelona, OAFI leads the global fight for joint health, promoting education, prevention, research and patient support programmes.

Its mission is to improve the quality of life of those living with these conditions, promoting early detection, self-care and patient empowerment. Through international congresses, awareness campaigns, scientific projects and collaborations, OAFI works to place joint health at the centre of the healthcare and social agenda.