Santo Domingo.– The Senate Special Commission that studies the bill that modifies several articles of the Law 12-06 on Mental Health agreed to invite the main health sector organizations to hear their contributions on the proposed reforms.
Among the institutions summoned are the Ministry of Public Healththe Dominican Society of Psychiatry and Neurosurgery and the Dominican Health Pastoralwho will present their considerations regarding the initiative submitted by the Senator Aracelis Villanueva Figueroarepresentative of the province San Pedro de Macoris.
The president of the commission, Senator Moisés Ayalaexpressed that the country faces a growing mental health problemevidenced by the increase in patients and the shortage of beds and specialized units in hospitals.
“Although there are no exact figures, the number of psychiatric patients is high. This increase is closely linked to the consumption of drugs, narcotics and other vices,” said Ayala, who is also a doctor and spokesperson for the PRM in the Upper House.
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Reform objectives
The legislator explained that the project seeks strengthen mental health carethrough the creation of shelters, crisis units and psychiatric care centers in different regions of the country.
Likewise, he pointed out the limitations of the hospital systemciting the case of Father Billini Hospitalwhere patients must wait until two months to get a bed.
“It is urgent to expand capacity and improve infrastructure. From Congress we are working together with the institutions of the sector to design a modern and functional law that guarantees dignified care for patients,” added the senator for Barahona.
Proposed changes
The modifications to the Law 12-06 include the integration of mental health into primary carethe installation of crisis units in regional hospitalsthe creation of a special fund to finance mental health programs and prohibition of employment discrimination against people with mental disorders.
It also promotes protection of patient dignityreinforcing the State’s commitment to the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of those suffering from mental illnesses.
