Handover of Steering Committee Mental Health Services Chairmanship: A Step Toward Strengthening Mental Healthcare in Aruba
ORANJESTAD — The chairmanship of the Steering Committee for Mental Health Services (Stuurgroep GGZ) is being officially transferred from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Care to the Department of Public Health (DVG).
Mental healthcare and addiction services represent more than a healthcare challenge; they are a shared societal responsibility. To achieve sustainable change, the management and coordination of these services must be firmly anchored within our public health system and remain independent of politics. With this decision, Aruba takes a major step toward ensuring continuity, sustainability, and closer collaboration across the entire care chain.
Through this transition, DVG assumes not only the chairmanship but also the leadership in coordinating among the various involved agencies. This ensures that ongoing policy development and the execution of strategic priorities remain structurally embedded within the organization primarily responsible for public health, thereby strengthening institutional knowledge and inter-agency collaboration.
The ultimate goal is an integrated system where prevention, early detection, treatment, recovery, and social reintegration connect seamlessly—developed through knowledge, collaboration, and a steadfast focus on patient well-being.
Mental health is an investment in Aruba’s future. Together, we are building a strong system with accessible healthcare for everyone.
