WILLEMSTAD – Minister of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN), Javier Silvania (MFK), has expressed strong disagreement with the recent decision by Capriles Clinic to close the Un Mihó Mañan unit, which provides care for (former) drug addicts suffering from severe psychiatric disorders. The minister voiced his concerns in a letter to the clinic’s director, Henk Kamsteeg, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of GMN. 

Silvania stated that he was not consulted in advance of the decision, even though it directly impacts some of the most vulnerable individuals in society—patients who often lack family support and are at risk of ending up on the streets. 

The minister has requested clarification from Capriles Clinic regarding the closure and the alternative care arrangements for displaced patients. “The government has allocated additional funds in recent years to improve mental health services. It is unacceptable that patients are being declared ‘no longer treatable’ when their families are unable to care for them,” Silvania said. 

The closure of Un Mihó Mañan follows earlier budget cuts, including the termination of the night shelter Dios Yudami in 2021, which contributed to increased disturbances in urban areas. According to the Ministry, these developments highlight the urgent need for the planned merger of GGZ Curaçao, PSI Skuchami, and Brasami into a single foundation: Fundashon Pa Nos Salud Mental. 

Silvania has called for the reopening of critical mental health services and expects a comprehensive response from Capriles Clinic no later than July 30. He also stressed the importance of cooperation among all mental health partners to ensure that no patient is left without support or care.