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Uruguay deploys mobile clinics for homeless, leases hospital facility
🇺🇾 Uruguay /Health & Science

Uruguay deploys mobile clinics for homeless, leases hospital facility

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Uruguay's government is implementing new measures to assist people living on the streets, including extreme cold weather protocols.
  • Four mobile clinics equipped with medical and dental facilities will operate from three ambulances, visiting shelters and public spaces.
  • The government is also leasing a vacant hospital building to increase bed capacity for vulnerable populations, including those with mental health issues and addictions.

Uruguay is rolling out a comprehensive plan to address the needs of its homeless population, particularly during a severe cold snap. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Social Development, aims to ensure no one lives on the streets.

We are working with a horizon that in Uruguay there are no people living on the street, because the street is not a place to live.

— Gonzalo CivilaMinister of Social Development, Gonzalo Civila, highlighted the government's goal to end street homelessness during a press conference presenting new actions.

The core of the plan involves "PASO," a street clinic program utilizing three ambulances outfitted as mobile medical units. These vehicles will be equipped with examination rooms, digital X-rays, and dental modules. They will travel to shelters and public areas, bringing healthcare directly to those in need. Álvaro Danza, head of ASSE (the national health services administration), stated the goal is to "place health centers where people on the street are," thereby reducing access barriers for preventive care, immunizations, and communicable disease control.

We are placing health centers where people on the street are.

— Álvaro DanzaASSE President Álvaro Danza explained the strategy behind the mobile clinics, emphasizing improved access to healthcare for the vulnerable population.

Additionally, ASSE is leasing a former Casmu hospital building, which has been vacant for about six years. Danza described the facility as being in "good condition" and anticipates it will be ready for use within 10 to 15 days after minor renovations costing $500,000. The building will accommodate 50 beds across two floors, providing much-needed capacity for patients who are in a "gray situation" – meaning they could potentially be cared for at home if suitable conditions were available. The facility is intended for moderate care and acute mental health services.

good condition

— Álvaro DanzaASSE President Álvaro Danza described the state of the former Casmu hospital building that ASSE is leasing.

This expansion comes as ASSE faces scrutiny over alleged irregularities in a previous agreement with Casmu. The new lease aims to increase the public provider's bed availability. Currently, 15% of ASSE's 2,000 beds are occupied by "social patients" who lack home support. The plan also includes establishing a 24-hour liaison unit to centralize communication related to these services.

situation gris

— Álvaro DanzaASSE President Álvaro Danza used this term to refer to patients who could potentially be discharged with adequate home support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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