Based on the latest censuses conducted by the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) in 2020 and 2021, a supposed reduction considerable in the number of people sleeping on the street overnight compared to 2019.
These data were revealed by the head of MIDES, Martin Motto, who also highlighted the increase in care capacity through the implementation of more places in specialized centers. In addition, collaboration with the british hospital to provide assistance to people in vulnerable situations.
Lema asserted that MIDES has worked to expand the capacity of care for people living on the streets. Compared to the beginning of the government period, where there were only 193 spaces in 24-hour centers, it is expected to exceed 1,500 spaces this year. This significant increase will make it possible to provide a more effective and continuous response during the day, covering a greater number of people in vulnerable situations.
Homeless people with psychiatric conditions
During the presentation, Martín Lema expressed his “surprise” to learn that there were only 120 beds available in the state mental health system for the hospitalization of addicted people. He recognized that this figure is clearly insufficient and evidences the need to address treatment more broadly and effectively. “We were surprised when from ASSE [Administración de los Servicios de Salud del Estado] They told us that there were only 120 beds to give hospitalization response to addicted people”, he stated.
In this regard, the president of ASSE, Leonardo Cipriani, assured that they are currently working “together with the Presidency of the Republic to greatly increase” the number of beds available.
In mid-March, President Luis Lacalle Pou announced that in the next Accountability, which will enter Parliament at the end of June and will be the last with the possibility of increasing spending, “the prow” of the government will be set on “mental health and addictions.”
