ORANJESTAD — Respaldo and Fundacion Mama Ties are working together on plans for a new Aruba mental health clinic designed to improve care, modernize facilities and bring Respaldo’s services together under one roof.
Fundacion Salud Mental Aruba Respaldo says its goal is to continue providing high-quality mental health care while preparing for the growing needs of the community.
Respaldo’s current infrastructure near the hospital is almost 40 years old and is no longer considered sufficient for present and future demand. The organization is also currently providing services from two separate locations, which it says is not ideal for integrated care or daily operations.
To address these limitations, Respaldo previously signed a cooperation agreement with Fundacion Mama Ties to support development of a completely new, modern and functional facility.
The proposed new Aruba mental health clinic would be equipped with modern technology and designed specifically around the needs of mental health care.
A key objective is to eventually bring Respaldo’s different services together in one location, improving cooperation between professionals, operational efficiency and continuity of care for clients.
Requirements for New Building Being Prepared
Dutch consultancy TwynstraGudde has been contracted to prepare a Programma van Eisen, or program of requirements.
This document will establish the functional, technical and organizational requirements that the new building must meet and will serve as the foundation for the architectural design phase.
A TwynstraGudde team visited Aruba between August 5 and 12 to meet with Respaldo staff and other stakeholders.
During those meetings, the consultants collected information about the needs of clients, health professionals and the organization so these requirements can be incorporated into the development plans.
Land Process Also Underway
At the same time, the Department of Infrastructure and Planning, DIP, is working on the process related to providing the land needed for the project.
Respaldo expressed appreciation to Fundacion Mama Ties for its support, trust and commitment to the initiative.
The collaboration is intended to create a new Aruba mental health clinic that can provide more integrated, accessible and future-ready care for the community.
