“It is the maximum record that we have in recent years,” said the Minister of Social Development, Martín Lema, during the reopening of a dental office that is part of the plan to improve health care implemented by the National Directorate for Support to Released (Dinali). He also highlighted the Government’s commitment to provide labor support to people released from the prison system.
Also attending the activity, on Tuesday 20, at the Posada del Liberado, were the president of the State Health Services Administration (ASSE), Leonardo Cipriani; the general coordinator and the general director of Dinali, Daniel Fernández and Martín Quiró, respectively, and authorities of the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU).
Lema reported that, as a result of an agreement between Dinali and AFE, which will begin to be implemented in the coming days, the maximum number of people who regain their freedom with job opportunities would be reached in recent years, 314, simultaneously in different portfolio programs. “We want to go in that direction, a country that gives opportunities,” he said.
He added that it is estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 people are released per year and recalled that in the Accountability in 2021 the Dinali passed from the orbit of the Ministry of the Interior to that of the Ministry of Social Development (Mides). In this regard, he explained that those who regained their freedom before received care in police stations, but now they are cared for in the Mides territorial offices.
He indicated that, as a society, we must offer “alternatives to recidivism and street situations.” He added that the actions of social interest that are carried out define the future of the country in this matter. “We cannot contribute to the social sentence on the served sentence, we have to work on second chances”, he affirmed.
The dental service is part of the plan to improve health care in which Dinali works, for people released from the prison system. Lema highlighted the importance of the new office and explained that the reinstallation is the result of joint work between Dinali, ASSE and UCU.
It is necessary that there are job opportunities, training, and greater access to health, assured the hierarch who stated that work is being done in this regard.
Meanwhile, Cipriani reported that ASSE will have the necessary supplies to offer prevention, diagnosis and dental treatment. “The comprehensive care of the person is sought, so that in this second opportunity he can enjoy good oral health,” he indicated.
The hierarch announced that a demand of 40 to 50 patients per month is expected, who will be attended by teachers and students of the Catholic University of Uruguay twice a week between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
