WILLEMSTAD – The Capriles Clinic recently faced full occupancy in its High-Care unit, raising concerns due to the clinic’s legal obligation to admit patients in psychiatric crisis. The situation has since slightly improved, with two beds now available, according to a letter from the clinic’s board of directors to Minister of Health, Environment and Nature, Javier Silvania (MFK). 

The High-Care unit is reserved for psychiatric patients experiencing acute crises—such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, or aggressive behavior—who require intensive care and supervision in a secure environment. 

The recent strain on capacity was due to limited patient discharge options, either to home settings or to alternative care institutions. As a result, patients remained admitted longer than clinically necessary, exacerbating the shortage of available beds. 

Capriles Clinic emphasized that the issue is not financial, but rather about placing “the right patient in the right place.” To address the problem sustainably, the clinic aims to strengthen outpatient and community-based mental health services, reducing the need for inpatient care. 

“These efforts are aligned with the government's Mental Health Vision Document 2024–2027,” the clinic stated, expressing its commitment to modernizing mental health care delivery on the island.