ORANJESTAD - The four mental health care organizations of all 6 islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom have concluded a cooperation agreement to improve the quality of mental health care. These are the Respaldo foundations on Aruba, GGZ Curaçao, Mental Health Foundation on Sint Maarten and Mental Health Caribbean on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius.
Due to COVID, the pressure on mental health care has also increased on the islands. The organizations involved must deal with longer waiting lists, capacity shortages, financial pressure and aggravating situations with clients. The collaboration will bring about the exchange of substantive and organizational expertise.
The existing cooperation will be further intensified. The organizations will work together, especially in the field of quality and further development, legislation, and training. Think of jointly setting up training, so that more teaching opportunities (for example for psychiatric nurses) become available within the region and own talents can be retained. Technological developments will also be optimally utilized in the region, such as the use of E-health and technological innovations to support healthcare.
“Like the Dutch Caribbean Hospital Alliance (the cooperation between the hospitals of the 6 islands), we are also working more vigorously to improve the quality of mental health care. We will work with working groups in which employees from all organizations are represented,” said Eric Kansen, director of Mental Health Caribbean.
“The aim is also to be able to make better use of each other's expertise and facilities. As organizations, we are not equipped to offer the full range of treatment. This collaboration should make this easier and more efficient.” The directors and administrators of the organizations gathered in the auditorium of the University of Aruba to sign the agreement.