WILLEMSTAD – Minister of Health, Environment and Nature, Javier Silvania, has strongly criticized the management of Capriles Clinic for unilaterally closing two key facilities without informing the Ministry or the health inspection office in advance. According to the Minister, these closures have had serious consequences for public safety and the mental health care system on the island.
In a statement released earlier this week, Silvania pointed out that in 2021, the Capriles Clinic shut down the “Nachtopvang Dios Yudami” (night shelter for addicts), and most recently in July 2025, it closed the “Un Miho Mañan” (rehabilitation facility), again without any prior notice to the Ministry of GMN or health inspectors.
Rise in Public Disturbance in Punda
The Minister expressed concern about the visible increase in disturbances on the streets of Punda following these closures. According to Silvania, groups of addicts and individuals with mental health issues now enter the area as early as 6 a.m., harassing locals and tourists, and return between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., causing further public nuisance.
An abandoned building in the area has reportedly become a shelter for homeless addicts, and the Minister fears the situation is spiraling out of control.
Questioning the Term "Uitbehandeld"
Silvania also took issue with the clinic's frequent use of the term “uitbehandeld” (treatment completed) for chronic addicts with psychiatric conditions. He questioned how the clinic measures treatment effectiveness and asked for an explanation from the clinic’s director about what “uitbehandeld” really means in the context of long-term psychiatric patients.
The Minister said he has received calls from distressed families who claim that once their loved ones are labeled “uitbehandeld” and discharged, they quickly relapse due to lack of follow-up care and medication, leading to aggressive or unstable behavior in public spaces.
Funding and Oversight Concerns
Silvania noted with disappointment that Capriles Clinic received an extra 3.4 million guilders in 2023 to support its operations, yet still claims to lack sufficient space for patients. He also expressed regret that the clinic closed two essential care units without any consultation with the Ministry.
“These unilateral decisions have created a ticking time bomb,” the Minister said. “When the situation explodes, the public, the media, and Parliament all turn their attention to GMN and the Minister, even though we were left out of the decision-making process.”
Silvania emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and coordination between mental health institutions and the government to protect both vulnerable patients and the broader community.
